For UFC CEO Dana Whitethe best is “Blessed”.
White praised Max Holloway (25-7 MMA, 21-7 UFC) ahead of his BMF lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) on the main card of UFC 300 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Holloway is a former featherweight champion who defended the belt three times against Jose Aldo, Brian Ortega and Frankie Edgar. He also holds notable wins over current top contenders Calvin Kattar, Yair Rodriguez and Arnold Allen.
“Max Holloway, always a huge fan favorite,” White said in ESPN’s “First Take.” “Probably the greatest featherweight of all time facing Gaethje, who is a human standout.”
Many expected Gaethje and Holloway to fight for the title in their respective divisions, but White justifies the reason for the matchmaking.
“The idea for BMF was built right here in this room,” White said in the UFC war room in Las Vegas. “There are always these fights that the fans love, whether it’s Masvidal vs. Diaz, you know, that type of fight, Gaethje and Max Holloway.
“We were sitting here one day and we thought about building this BMF title and who is better suited for that than Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway? We think about it here. I told the guys, ‘Tell me if you think I’m crazy, but what do you think about this idea?’ They loved it, the fans loved it and here we go.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 300.
