The Lightweight Title fight between Tony Ferguson and unbeaten contender Khabib in UFC 223, has been cancelled, now for the 4th time, making us doubt if this fight will ever happen.
This fight has big time implications as UFC Gold is on the line with a title, and a possible fight with the top UFC Champion Conner McGregor in the future, which could now go to either Khabib or Holloway.
Fight Odds courtesy of BetDSI.eu:
Max “Blessed” Holloway +365 vs Khabib Nurmagomedov -505
Tony Ferguson is Out
Tony Ferguson has torn his LCL off the bone, and is now out. Max “Blessed” Holloway has stepped up on just six days notice, to take on Khabib Nurmagomedov for what the UFC’s Dana White says is the legitimate 155 lb belt. If Max Holloway is able to pull off this feat, which could be akin to summiting Mt Everest, and defeat Dagistani Khabib Nurmagomedov, we could be given the most amazing fight in UFC history with a champ-champ matchup of Max “Blessed” Holloway vs Conner McGregor.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
To get there however, Holloway will have to beat the 25-0 Khabib, who has looked perfect in both his UFC and MMA careers. His take downs are relentless and look unstoppable, his ground and pound has looked the most vicious of any fighter in the UFC since Tito Ortiz destoyed Ken Shamrock. It has been almost no contest in most of Khabib’s fights as soon as he gets his hands on people. We have however, seen glimpses of weakness in Khabib’s chin. Michael Johnson was able to touch his chin a couple of times and really rock him. Gleison Tibau did very well keeping Khabib on his feet, and really keeping him scramling, and not letting Khabib take him down. The question is will Max Holloway be able to take a look at those fights and use them in his strategy against Khabib who is going to be looking to take Max Holloway down.
Super explosive puncher, Khabib Nurmagomedov is a very straight forward Boxer. He doesn’t throw too may kicks and really tries to close the distance with his competitors, but the punches he does throw are super powerful.
His shovel hooks and upper cut hooks are extremely powerful and he has gotten a couple of knock outs with that.
Max Blessed Holloway
With the way that Max Holloway stands with his hands separated a lot side to side, he leaves a lot of room down the middle, and we’ll have to see if Khabib can catch him on his feet, or if Max Holloway can use his range of footwork to keep distance between him and Khabib. Neither fighter has much reach advantage as they are basically the same height and same reach, so it may be up to whether or not Max Holloway can circle enough and will he be able to disengage when they come together and start throwing combos. Max likes to step in and throw the one-two a lot, and he is super effective with it, but that technique steps right into where Khabib Nurmagomedov wants him to be. Khabib wants to clinch and push Max Holloway against the cage. I really don’t see any chance of Holloway getting up if they do touch the ground. Max Holloway is not going to be looking for take downs. If Max can not knock Khabib out in the first couple of rounds, this fight will go all five rounds. Khabib Nurmagomedov is second to none with his top game and I think we are going to see a lot of that from him.
How This Fight Could Go
In the first round it will take Khabib a while to get a hold of Max Holloway, and then most likely in the later rounds, Max’s cardio will serve him very well in keeping him on his feet as long as possible.
I do think, however, that they will find their way to the ground in every round. Khabib will push Holloway up against the fence and be able to take him down and impose his will.
I don’t see Max Holloway being able to throw up any kind of submission or any threats at all. Holloway does have a couple submissions in his career, but he is not super skilled. He is good on the ground, but he is not a high level black belt, and he is not a grappling champion. All in all, in all areas of grappling, Khabib is going to be three or tour steps ahead, but on their feet, it will be the same in reverse as Holloway is a far better striker.
His use of spinning attacks, back kicks, jumping knees, and very very long punches, as well as sitting down on his two’s very well, can create a lot of power for a guy at 145 pounds. If he is able to connect with Khabib a couple of times, I think he could finish him on the ground with a flurry, but he is really going to have to rock Khabib with a couple on his feet. I don’t see any one punch knock outs happening for Max Holloway in this fight.
Pick & Prediction
This is truly going to be the toughest test of Max Holloway’s career. On paper Khabib Nurmagomedov should finish Max Holloway in the first round, but that’s not how MMA works. This is going to be an extremely aggressive fight from both fighters and it’s an extremely intriguing matchup. They say style makes fights. Can Khabib take Holloway down? Can Max touch Khabib’s chin enough times before he does engage that clinch.
My money is going on the Dagastani, Khabib Nurmagomedov , as I can’t go against a guy who has been so perfect in the octagon. But don’t be surprised if Max Holloway can do some very good work and damage on his feet.
Professional MMA fighter & trainer Hollywood Joe Tussing brings you the Fight Preview for the NEW main fight on the UFC 223 fight card on April 7, 2018, Max “Blessed” Holloway vs Khabib Nurmagomedov
