Max is Only 31, Probably Will Be Champ Again Realistically

[cws80us]

His only hope would be for to Volk to lose or vacate and move to 155. And, even if Volk loses, he'd likely get an immediate rematch. So, he'd actually have to lose twice. I don't think moving to 155 would be viable for Max either. He already tried that once and it didn't go well.

 

[jitzmonkey]

You’re making baseless arguments, that’s why I’m calling you out.

I don’t know, man.
Maybe I’m operating with more information than you.
Per the UFC, Max has not only logged the 3rd most octagon time (wear); but also absorbed the most significant strikes of any UFC fighter ever (tear.)
Add multiple surgeries, a huge weight cut (we’ve seen him pulled by doctors in the past,) etc… and I got believe that it’s not too hard to imagine it catching up to him sooner or later.
We all love him; but he’s not invincible.

 

[jitzmonkey]

Condits chin held up, and he fought in kickboxing before MMA sir.

Fair point; but Condit (if I remember correctly) was never really a stand in the pocket and trade kinda guy.

I’d have to go back and watch; but I remember lots of movement in and out, working off of awkward angles, and whatnot; no?

 

[jitzmonkey]

Listen to his speech in those interviews? You clearly don't see a difference from years ago until now? Blinders much? Lol

Like I said, your perspective on primes is well documented over the years and we've had prime discussions before where it's proven it’s useless to engage you. Enjoy.

Should’ve read your reply earlier.
Would’ve saved me some time.

 

[VenomCarnage]

The weird ‘ugly duckling’ of this rivalry, is the fact that Max actually could have won the second bout.

 

[Killer Kadoogan]

as long as volk is there, no. he might have a chance against the new blood. if volk goes up permanently, then he could do it. but that has to happen soon.

 

[jitzmonkey]

There were plenty of people arguing before the Calvin, Yair, and Allen fights that Max was going to lose, Max was on the decline, blah blah blah.

And look how those fights turned out.

Max does have a ton of cage time and strikes absorbed over the years. HOWEVER, there are 3 very important things to consider in terms of career longevity:
1. he hasn't been on the receiving end of a brutal TKO / KO. A lot of fighters come back too soon from such fights and it just magnifies the brain trauma
2. he trains in a way to minimize wear-and-tear, the no sparring
3. he rolls with a lot of punches landed to his head and uses his feet to avoid eating long combos

I was concerned about how much damage he took in the 2nd Poirier fight, but he's looked fine after.

Sure, he will at some point slow down, but he's still in his prime. And his fight IQ and especially vision are exceptional.

“Sure, he will at some point slow down, but he's still in his prime. And his fight IQ and especially vision are exceptional.”
That’s the key to the argument.
Max is still the man; and can/will piece up just about anyone in the division.
That doesn’t mean it’ll last forever.
As you stated,: his fight IQ (experience?) should continue to pay dividends… until it doesn’t.
He’s still there, though.

 

[mkt]

Yeah but DC was like 30 when even started competing in MMA. Max has quite a bit of time left and his performances in the cage still look the same.

It's also about cumulative wear and damage, though. Max has been fighting for 13 years and fought Poirier and Conor within his first 10 fights. He's fought in the UFC almost his entire career and has been in quite a few wars. Volk is older but started MMA two years later (2012 vs. 2010) has fewer fights and only half of his fights have been in the UFC. He had quite a few 1st round finishes in Australia earlier in his career.

Aldo, BJ Penn, Bendo and quite a few other fighters at LW and below started to decline around his current age (31). Maybe Max is different but I'm not sure.

 

[RoyJonesJr]

Yeah but DC was like 30 when even started competing in MMA. Max has quite a bit of time left and his performances in the cage still look the same.

I havent really seen the improvements though

His striking defence still leaves me worried

I really want him to train with a new boxing coach to really tighten up his best aspect

 

[xhaydenx]

What is Max getting payed? I hope he's on a legend contract similar to Mark Hunt and Overeem. He should be getting those 700k per fight if they did

Lol. He's a little fella. He ain't getting paid big boy old bet money.

 

[BoomStronk]

Featherweights too stacked and Max has been in alot wars. His time as champ is over unfortunately. Alot of new rising stars too, topuria is probably up next for the belt.

Agree. 31 isn't old, but for FW it's getting up there - Volkanovski is a freak of nature. Plus, max has taken a serious amount of punishment over the years.

The only realistic scenario is if volk retires/moves up/falls off pretty soon here, before Max declines too much.

It's possible, but unlikely. Max has two serious impediments: there is a dominant champ hebhasnt been able to beat yet, over three attempts; and, hes taken a lot of abuse over his career and is 31 at FW. He's not likely got enough time to wait volk out.

 

[Kb7]

It's also about cumulative wear and damage, though. Max has been fighting for 13 years and fought Poirier and Conor within his first 10 fights. He's fought in the UFC almost his entire career and has been in quite a few wars. Volk is older but started MMA two years later (2012 vs. 2010) has fewer fights and only half of his fights have been in the UFC. He had quite a few 1st round finishes in Australia earlier in his career.

Aldo, BJ Penn, Bendo and quite a few other fighters at LW and below started to decline around his current age (31). Maybe Max is different but I'm not sure.

You're right about Max, His only losses in the beginning of his career were Poirier, Bermudez & Mcgregor who are/were world class fighters.

I think it's all depending on the weight class to tell you truth. Lightweight is arguably the most competitive weight class in MMA & when you look at the current Featherweight rankings up to 15 aside from Volkanovski, the only fighters I see giving Holloway trouble is Yair(#2). If he stays at Featherweight I think he's comfortable for the next few years until the competition catches up, if he moves up to Lightweight then his decline will accelerate a little faster he would alternate wins and losses, even fighters outside the top 10 like Moicano, Turner & Frevola would give Holloway troubles.

 

[Safton]

Without Volk around? Sure. I would consider Max the favorite over any current Featherweight contender, Topuria included. But I don't like his chances of beating Volk in a fourth fight. I had Alex winning all three, even the second. When the third fight of the trilogy is the most definitive -- verging on dominant -- it suggests that the one guy just has the other's number, especially given past precedent in the sport concerning rubber matches and the like.

That's not a slight on Max, of course. Volk is just that guy. I genuinely think Holloway would still be building his legacy and would be in GOAT talks if not for Volk. Regardless of what he and the UFC decide to do, I'll tune in.

 

[StonedLemur]

Fair point; but Condit (if I remember correctly) was never really a stand in the pocket and trade kinda guy.

I’d have to go back and watch; but I remember lots of movement in and out, working off of awkward angles, and whatnot; no?

No, Carlos wasn't a stand and bang fighter but he was getting hit by the likes of Lawler and such.

 

[markys00]

Realistically, won't happen

 

[jitzmonkey]

No, Carlos wasn't a stand and bang fighter but he was getting hit by the likes of Lawler and such.

Very true!
He was definitely a JBG type of fighter;
He did have a rough stretch there at the end of his career, though.

 

[CroCopsLHK]

How can you expect him to wait out Volk like that? Do you think Volk would vacate and move up? That would be awfully generous...

Max getting stopped by Volk was very harrowing. Eventually a 4th fight could happen but maybe as a co main.... And if Volk wins that NEVER MATCH THEM AGAIN. I think it's desperate and unrealistic thinking Max will outlast Alex or that's a good idea. Hasn't Max had a longer UFC career? I don't care about their ages...

 

[BluntForceTrama]

damn


hes an old 31 w a lot of
miles

 

[OldFashion]

Lol. He's a little fella. He ain't getting paid big boy old bet money.

He's probably the most popular fighter in the org who's not a champion. if anyone deserves that kind of contract it's him

 

[xhaydenx]

He's probably the most popular fighter in the org who's not a champion. if anyone deserves that kind of contract it's him

Oh, I'm not saying he doesn't deserve it, but the HWs are more well known always seem to get paid way more than everyone else, even lots of champs.