Max Holloway greatly impressed the combat sports world on Saturday night with his bloody beatdown of Calvin Kattar. One of those who saw it all happen was undefeated UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Like most fans, “The Eagle” saw Holloway’s performance against Kattar as an all-time career highlight. But he believes the best is yet to come from the Blessed Express.
“He’s already one of the best to ever compete in MMA. He’s one of the best,” Khabib said of Holloway in a conversation with Full Reptile. “And probably, he’s the best featherweight of all-time. I think it was his best performance. And when we look at Max, he’s not old. But he have lot of fights in UFC. How old, 28? 29?
“I think his prime time is coming. It’s not come yet. I think maybe this year or maybe next year, it’s gonna be his prime time. It was not when he was champion. I think his time gonna come if he keep focused doing everything what he have to do.”
Khabib has nothing for love and respect for Holloway, whom he also sees at the top of the mountain when all is said and done.
“I really like Max. I was supposed to fight with him in 2018, I remember this,” Khabib recalled. “I think his time’s gonna come. Maybe end of the year, maybe next year. But it was his best performance. I believe he have potential be more great fighter than he was couple days ago.
“About best boxer, I don’t know. But he’s one of the best, for sure. And his cardio, I think. He have very good cardio, very good chin. And now, his experience every fight’s becoming more and more.
“And I think his time’s gonna come. It was his best performance, but in the future, he have couple years to show and become maybe best fighter of all-time.”
After his win over Kattar, Holloway threw his name in the hat as one of the potential opponents for Khabib’s possible return. However, UFC president Dana White prefers that he remains at 145 pounds.
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