When Max Holloway told Joe Rogan how he used to learn how to strike in MMA the UFC commentator couldn’t quite believe it.
This coming July, Max Holloway returns to the Octagon when he takes on Dustin Poirier in a trilogy fight at UFC 318, in what is Poirier’s retirement fight.
‘Blessed’ Holloway will be defending his BMF title after winning it against Justin Gaethje last April at UFC 300, knocking Gaethje out in the final second, resulting in one of the most viral moments in UFC history.
Ahead of their trilogy fight in Louisiana, Poirier has requested a rule change, claiming that BMF title fights should adopt PRIDE rules.
Max Holloway stunned Joe Rogan when he told him how he learned MMA
The Hawaiian has been a permanent fixture in the UFC since 2012 when he debuted against Poirier, almost suffering a broken arm when ‘The Diamond’ submitted him in round one.
Despite the early loss in his career, it became clear that the 19-year-old would likely go on to be a big star in the sport, showing impressive skills and even better heart.
However, Holloway didn’t begin his MMA journey in an orthodox way and he left UFC icon Joe Rogan stunned when he told him how he used to learn MMA striking when he first started.
“My first seven fights in the UFC, you know the UFC (video) game? I’d use Renan Barao and Jose Aldo and I’d do stuff with them and I’d be like ‘Oh yeah, this works in the game so’, and I’d be like, ‘Look, I tried this in the game and it was working, let’s try it’, and we did it, I figured out (striking) from the regular UFC game,” Holloway told Joe Rogan.
“What?” Rogan replied as he was left shocked.
“You learned how to strike from video games? I thought ‘Oh, he went to a traditional karate school, and then he started studying Muay Thai when he was 10’, no,” Rogan continued.
Holloway competed several fights in the early stage of his UFC career without a striking coach, learning things from the original UFC game.
Dustin Poirier’s final ever training camp gets underway
Ever since this matchup was announced, fans have been salivating at the thought of it, considering their first fight came at the beginning of both of their UFC careers, and their rematch in 2019 was on short notice.
The lightweight division seemingly won’t feel the same without Poirier’s name towards the top of it, and his wife has reacted to this being his final ever training camp.
“And the journey begins! Still doesn’t feel real that you’re heading out for your final training camp. We love you so so much, see you soon,” she posted on her Instagram.