Max Holloway channels inner Gladiator ahead of UFC300fight against Justin Gaethje

‘BMF’ Champ Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway is right in the smack-dabbing middle of UFC 300’s historic main card. The UFC Fight Night 239 broadcast recently saw Cody Brundage vs. Bo Nickal slightly move down, followed by yet another lightweight affair (Charles Oliveira & Arman Tsarukyan). The other two are 205lbs and WMMA title showdowns. The main card takes place on April 13 (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET).

Unlike Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan’s 155-pound bout having #1 contender implications, the ‘BMF’ is different. However, with what it stands for, Max Holloway is prepping hard for it. The 25-7 MMA, 21-7 UFC has always been a featherweight mainstay. But now, he is reverting after five years and is open to all title possibilities.

Sporting a certain gladiatorial mindset, he said:

If I was born in a different time - probably would have been a gladiator...Last time I checked Gladiators didn't walk around with a scale asking what weight you was...If you're a "BMF", you gotta step up and fight anybody...

On his official YouTube channel, ‘Blessed’ has been documenting his training and journey en route to the title. One such was “Inside The Mind Of Max Holloway Before The Justin Gaethje Fight At UFC 300 | Ep 5.” He weighed in on current title contention rematches at 145 pounds. During the segment, he also weighed in on the zen-mentalities of ninjutsu and Gladiator combatants to be ready for anything.

He has done the same yet again. Meaning to stick to business and putting on proper weight, the theatrical promo lauds his Hawaiin cultural embodiment. While he upholds such virtues of honor, Holloway aspires to put on his mean-face against Justin Gaethje, and come out the real “BMF”.

Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje: Road to “BMF”

Former UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway is settling a lot more confidently in his second run. In his first go at lightweight in April 2019, Dustin Poirier edged him out (49-46, 49–46, 49-46) – to win the interim title. More so, his performance was marred due to weight-cut problems.

However, ‘Blessed’ is gearing up at the proper pace this time. Often considered the consensus best boxer in UFC, he has a tough road ahead. He meets current “BMF” Justin Gaethje.

Speaking with ESPN MMA‘s Brett Okamoto, Gaethje had once affirmed shifting to more defensive slights and not getting hit. During a recent appearance with The Schmo (The Schmozone Podcast), Gaethje however, doused fighting aspirations to defend his hardware. By all means needed.

Conforming to UFC standards, he considers himself to be one of the most well-rounded fighters ever. One of the “BMF” Theatrical Promo adverts during UFCVegas89 – LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ also saw him describing himself as “violently” suited for the title. At a streaking 25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC stat, he is quite the knockout artist. His ‘BMF’ win against Poirier was described as “violently chaotic”.

Consensus KO phenom vs consensus boxer. Hardest chin vs. Hardest hitter. The pairing has already been garnering substantial buzz, quite on the lines of unstoppable force vs. immovable object. Come April 13, it remains to be seen who comes out on top.

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