Holloway: Superheroes got dark sides now
Max Holloway: “It’s sad, but it is what it is. You gotta keep up with this sport. If you want to be a superstar and make a lot of money, this is what you do.”
UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo recently said with the rise of trash talk in MMA, he was no longer going to maintain his good boy status. However, interim champ Max Holloway fights Aldo on June 3 at UFC 212 in Brazil, and this has to be the heel.
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It would be stupid to think I wouldn’t be the bad guy coming to the fight, said Holloway recently, as transcribed by Dave Doyle for MMA Fighting. I’m the bad guy, and I’m embracing the role. He’s got to do his job. Show up June 3, and let’s get it done.
Superheroes got dark sides now. Everyone wants drama. Everyone is living for drama. You know? You either grow with this sport or you get left behind. It’s sad, but it is what it is. You gotta keep up with this sport. If you want to be a superstar and make a lot of money, this is what you do. Some people take it a little overboard, but it’s always fun poking at people and seeing how they react. It’s good and bad for the sport, but us athletes, we’re trying to get our money and trying to get paid.
At a recent media event Holloway came bearing a gift for Aldo.
I came with a soccer ball because the old boy said he wants to go ahead and play soccer after he’s done fighting, said Holloway. Us Hawaiians, we like to give gifts, and this gift is for him. He’s going into retirement. It’s right here. He can have the ball, and we can get this fight going.
I love it, MMA as a whole owes it to Brazil. The sport was born here and I’m just excited. I’m excited to fight in front of these passionate people and these passionate fans and being in the Octagon on the opposite side of Jose.
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