Max Holloway’s Future After Defending Featherweight Title: Who Will He Face Next?
Afterand not long afterdefending his Featherweight belt at UFC 240, talk has turned to his next opponent. Several names are being tossed into the ring, but Alexander Volkanovski is the clear favorite.
The Contender: Alexander Volkanovski
Volkanovski's path to potential stardom just got a lot clearer. The Australian fighter has just dethroned the former Featherweight Champion, Jose Aldo, in a thrilling victory. This win sets him up as the most logical next challenger for Max Holloway. Alexander's recent performance speaks volumes about his readiness and his potential to put up a strong fight against Holloway.
Conor McGregor's Return and the Lightweight Division
Another name that can’t be ignored is Conor McGregor. Dana White, the UFC president, has hinted that McGregor will be back in the ring in 2020, and the idea of a potential matchup with Holloway is stirring excitement among fans. McGregor's return would not only categorically recreate the hype and drama of his previous bouts with Holloway but could also highlight the transition of Holloway from Featherweight back to Lightweight.
There's a strong case for why McGregor could be the future in the Lightweight division. He once held that title and with a comeback, he could reignite interest in the division, which has seen a decline in relative excitement. Additionally, his coachwho expressed that McGregor's desire to train and fight has been reinvigoratedindicates that he might concentrate on dropping back to Featherweight in the latter part of 2019 and early 2020 to regain his fighting shape.
Training and Title Aspiration
The idea of McGregor entering training early in 2020 aligns with the timeline for preparing for a title showdown against Holloway. The transition from Lightweight to Featherweight is not an overnight process; it takes time for fighters to shed weight and maintain their conditioning for higher weight categories. This preparation time allows McGregor to regain his strength and agility, which could be crucial for a tough title fight.
Furthermore, for Holloway, the period between defending his title at UFC 240 and the next fight gives him the opportunity to savor the victory and prepare for his next challenge. Resting and refining his strategies can make a significant difference in his performance as he prepares for another title defense.
Challenges and Outlook
Both pitting the current Featherweight Champion, Max Holloway, against Alexander Volkanovski as the next challenger and setting up a McGregor-Holloway battle provide exciting narratives for fans. However, the fight schedule and matchmaking decisions will ultimately fall on Dana White and the UFC management team. Potential challenges and considerations include the training schedules of both fighters, the expectations from the fanbase, and the strategic implications for the Featherweight and Lightweight divisions.
With these ideas in play, the stage is set for an exciting 2020 in the world of UFC featherweight and lightweight divisions. The journey for both Holloway and McGregor is an intriguing one and will keep fans engaged with each battle.