Max Holloway channeled Lahaina mana for UFC knockout, eyes Volkanovski

Max Holloway by no means had a clear knockout in his profession till Saturday – so he admits supernatural forces should’ve been at work when he completed “The Korean Zombie” with a single blow at UFC Fight Night 225.

There was no wanting emotion, as every man fought laborious for victory with distinct motivations. For Hawaii’s Holloway (25-7 MMA, 21-7 UFC) this week was all about his dwelling state, and specifically the residents of Lahaina and Maui and all these affected by the current wildfires there.

“Often they provide me the blackout walkout as a result of we’re the primary occasion and the crimson nook,” Holloway mentioned at a post-fight information convention. “However I heard the entire enviornment they did crimson as a result of they heard me speak about how the folks of Lahaina was asking to make use of crimson in solidarity with them. The UFC did that and after I heard that, it was loopy. Mana. We use the phrase mana. It’s the non secular energy. It was right here tonight. I may really feel it. Like I mentioned, you guys noticed the emotion. You noticed the emotion. I went loopy after I did (win), as a result of there was a lot emotion happening for the final two weeks.”

In early August, wildfires catalyzed by gusty circumstances coated 17,000 acres of land in Hawaii. The fires killed at the least 115 folks and one other 388 are nonetheless unaccounted for, according to a recent estimate.

Holloway was proud to symbolize a persevering group throughout a troublesome time. He thanked the UFC for permitting him to put on crimson shorts, which aren’t typical for his “common” battle package.

Whereas illustration, consciousness, and happiness had been his targets, Holloway thinks in flip the Hawaii folks powered the ultimate knockout blow.

“I simply let all people know that the folks of Lahaina, Maui are nonetheless going by means of it,” Holloway mentioned. “They’re true warriors. They’re enduring. They’re enduring the ache proper now. Me having the ability to give them one thing to cheer for for quarter-hour was nice.  … This was my first-ever walk-off KO, so it was superb, man. One thing was within the air, man. Like I mentioned, mana, non secular energy, was within the air. The folks of Lahaina and Maui gave me their energy in my proper hand. They name me ‘Pillow Holloway,’ so I used to be like, ‘OK, no matter.’ I assume we had stones within the pillowcase as we speak.”

With the victory, Holloway moved to 4-1 in his most up-to-date 5. His solely featherweight losses since 2013 have thrice come to the identical man, UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski. Whereas a fourth crack on the identical champion when down 0-3 within the lifetime sequence is unprecedented, Holloway is assured he’ll make historical past.

“Plain, man,” Holloway mentioned of a fourth Volkanovski battle. “All week, I’ve been saying simple. I’m not right here to name no one out. That’s you guys’ job to determine that out. It’s the followers’ job to do for me. I’m simply right here to be simple, maintain being simple. I’ll maintain crawling, scratching my approach to the highest of the mountain. Nobody goes to cease me getting there.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Fight Night 225.