Believe the hype, Max Holloway is one of the greatest fighters on planet Earth right now.
As if there was any doubt about that.
Just take a look at his current win-streak in the world's largest MMA promotion.
Will Chope, Andre Fili, Clay Collard, Akira Corassani, Cole Miller, Cub Swanson, Charles Oliveira, Jeremy Stephens, Ricardo Lamas, Anthony Pettis and Jose Aldo.
It's not just the sheer quantity of fighters he has dusted in a row, it's not just the standard of the opponents he has beaten, but it's the manner in which he has gotten his hand raised. Every time he enters the Octagon, he has shown stark improvements to his game. Hell, he has even shown he can improve over the course of a fight. If you started watching
UFC 212's main event from the third round, you probably wouldn't have guessed that he dropped the first two rounds.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/871308633157636097
However, Holloway analysed every in-fight moment against Aldo, compiled all the data, made the requisite adjustments and steamrolled his way to having that coveted golden strap wrapped around his waist. That's the type of animal we're dealing with here. An animal with an outrageously high fight IQ.
A champion.
That stellar performance that brought the Rio crowd to an eerie silence earned him the belt, the $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus, a huge target on his back from the rest of the 145 lb division and vindication that he's one of the world's elite with a huge leap up the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings.
Aldo dropped down seven places to 10th, heavyweight king Stipe Miocic was bumped up one place to fill that slot and Holloway soared seven spots to fifth. He still trails light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, lightweight belt-holder Conor McGregor and. of course, flyweight great Demetrious Johnson.
The Holloway era has begun. Now let's see how long it will last.
