Holloway has previously challenged for the UFC Interim Lightweight Title, but he expects another title shot in that division in the future.
“It’s in my history,” Holloway said at a UFC 240 media luncheon (via Alexander K. Lee of MMA Fighting). “You guys watch my fights, you guys go back to all my fights, I’m a different guy every time and come July 27 you guys are going to see a different guy in there again. The kid that showed up in April, the guy you’re looking at, standing in front of him, I’d kill that kid. I’d body him. There’s no comparison and it happens, this sport or life, period, is like Chutes and Ladders. Sometimes you’ve got to slide down to climb up a bigger ladder. ‘55 ain’t far off. That’s only 10 pounds, that’s all it is, is 10 pounds. We’ll get back there when we get back there. Hopefully it’s sooner rather than later and we’ll see what happens. If it takes a 10-fight win streak to fight for another belt up there, become the double champ, it takes a 10-fight streak. That’s what it is. I ain’t scared of no work and you guys all know that. Put my nose down and get to work I guess.”
Dustin Poirier and Holloway fought for the vacant UFC Interim Lightweight Title at UFC 236, with Poirier leaving with the gold on that night.
The featherweight champion plans on defending his gold for the time being, especially with so many contender for Holloway to fight.
“I always wanted to and we’ve got unfinished business,” Holloway said. “There’s a lot of guys now coming up that are doing what they’re supposed to be doing and Frankie is a legend, he’s a legend. Third times a charm. It took two times to book this fight, I can’t wait. And I always said, champ is a champ and a king is a king of someone who defends their land, who defends their belt. That’s what true kings are, that’s what true kings do and I wanted to come back down.”
UFC 240 takes place on Saturday, July 27 from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with Max Holloway and Frankie Edgar headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
