Max Holloway issues statement on UFC 223 lightweight title fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov

Max Holloway issues statement on UFC 223 lightweight title fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov

Earlier tonight shocking news broke that current UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson had suffered a “freak” knee injury and was forced out of next weekend’s UFC 223 event headliner with Khabib Nurmagomedov.

While that news was nothing short of terrible, marking the fourth time the proposed Ferguson vs. Khabib fight has failed to come to fruition, there was a silver lining.

UFC President Dana White announced that current UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway had agreed to step up on just six days notice and fight Khabib Nurmogmedov for the promotions undisputed lightweight title.

BOOM!!!!!! We got Khabib vs The Champ Max Holloway for the 155lb title this Saturday in Brooklyn New York!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/quvI3UqGXh

— danawhite (@danawhite) April 1, 2018

The brash UFC boss went on to tell ESPN’s Brett Okamoto that next weekend’s Holloway vs. Khabib title fight winner would be crowned the promotions lightweight champion.

So what does that mean for the belt current worn by UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson?

“That goes away,” Dana said of Tony Ferguson’s interim lightweight title. “This fight (Holloway vs. Khabib) is for the title. The winner of this will be the champion!” – Dana White

Tony Ferguson would later release an emotional statement regarding his devastating UFC 223 removal (read that here).

With that said, it is also assumed that the promotion will follow through with their plan to strip Conor McGregor of his lightweight world title at UFC 223.

Khabib Nurmagomedov also reacted to today’s shocking news on social media, proceeding to take jabs at both Tony Ferguson and Conor McGregor following the UFC 223 switch-up.

Finally it was current UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway’s turn to address the massive fight news!

Battle between King Cobra and Reticulated Python. Both dead when found #UFC223 pic.twitter.com/4wRZ47aWad

— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) April 1, 2018

“Battle between King Cobra and Reticulated Python. Both dead when found #UFC223” – Max Holloway

Back on March 2 “Blessed” had given the following statement to MMA journalist Damon Martin.

. @BlessedMMA on Mar. 2: "I'm just trying to prove I'm the best ever to do it. Not in my weight class, in the world, pound-for-pound. When I think of the P4P rankings, I think whoever's No. 1 should be willing to fight anybody and everybody in every weight class. I'm that guy"

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) April 2, 2018

“I’m just trying to prove I’m the best ever to do it. Not in my weight class, in the world, pound-for-pound. When I think of the P4P rankings, I think whoever’s No. 1 should be willing to fight anybody and everybody in every weight class. I’m that guy.”

The Hawaiian native has opened as a massive betting underdog for next weekend’s UFC lightweight title fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov. Do you think “Blessed” can pull off the upset? Sound off PENN Nation!