Firas Zahabi: “Max Holloway Would Outpunch And Outwork Conor McGregor, I’d Pick Him For A Winner”
Max Holloway and Conor McGregor fought on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26. The Irishman dominated the Hawaiian during all three rounds to secure a unanimous decision win (30-27, 30-27, 30-26). Yet, there is no doubt that both fighters have improved their skills since then.
The famous coach Firas Zahabi was asked at the episode of “Ask Me Anything” about the outcome of the potential Conor McGregor Vs Max Holloway rematch.
Firas Zahabi thinks Max Holloway would be the winner, but also believes “a blueprint for beating Conor McGregor ”is not a top secret anymore. (h/t bloodyelbow.com)
“If I had to pick Max Holloway vs. McGregor today, I would pick Max Holloway,” Zahabi said.
“I think Holloway has grown leaps and bounds since then. In my opinion, Holloway would outpunch him, outwork him. He would do very much what Diaz did, but more,” he said. “I think McGregor got away with a lot of stuff, like the leg kicks against Diaz, but I don’t think he’ll have that against Holloway.
“Holloway has the same type of output as Diaz, the same kind of chin as Diaz. He’s more athletic than Diaz, he has more variety in his attacks, he has more kicking, kneeing and elbowing, and his chin is just phenomenal. So I really think he would take it in the later rounds. I think the blueprint for beating McGregor is more well understood by the roster.”
Firas Zahabi, the Tristar Gym head coach, states Max Holloway owns better stamina, clinching, and grappling at the moment. Zahabi also thinks Conor would slow down in the later rounds.
“There’ll be a lot of striking of course, but there’s going to be a lot of clinching. I think that early in the striking McGregor wins, but later, it shifts all the way to Holloway,” the Tristar gym head coach explained. “He’s got better conditioning, better durability. The grappling is gonna be on Holloway’s side — the clinch work, the knees, the elbows, the tie ups. I think Holloway will start outworking and will outpace him to the point where McGregor is going to slow down.
“I like McGregor early, round one or round two, but after that, three, four, five, I think that’s going to belong to Holloway,” he said. “Even one of the first two rounds could belong to Holloway. I really think Holloway now is in his prime, and it’s going to be very very difficult to beat him.”
At the moment, Max Holloway is on a 13 win streak. Actually, Conor McGregor is the last guy who defeated him. Don’t forget Dana White has already offered “Blessed” a chance to test his luck at 155. So, who knows, maybe Holloway Vs McGregor 2 might come to fruition sometimes.
Do you agree with Firas Zahabi theory?
