Holloway takes interim featherweight title at UFC 206
TORONTO (AP) — Max Holloway has his belt, and now he’s going on the hunt.
The garrulous Hawaiian scored a knockout over Anthony Pettis 4:50 into the third round for the interim featherweight championship in the co-main event at UFC 206 on Saturday night.
It was the first time a UFC belt was on the line for just one fighter. It became an interim featherweight title bout for Holloway when Pettis failed to make weight on Friday, coming in 3 pounds over the 145-pound limit. Pettis was fined 20 percent of his purse as a result.
The win sets up a possible showdown for Holloway with official belt-holder Jose Aldo at UFC 208 on Feb. 11. Holloway said UFC President Dana White already offered him the fight following his win over Pettis.
Both Aldo and Holloway have lost to former featherweight champ Conor McGregor, but McGregor was stripped of his belt in late November by UFC because he had yet to defend it while fighting in other classes.
Aldo was given the belt, but he hasn’t fought since beating Frankie Edgar in July at UFC 200.
“I already had to give up Thanksgiving for this fight, I had to give up my birthday and it’s hard to find the guy,” Holloway said. “Like I said, ‘Hashtag: Where’s Jose Waldo.’ Let me know when you find him.
“I don’t want to give up my son’s birthday and Christmas for Feb. 11 and he don’t show up, you know? This guy has a (habit) of not showing up to the fight. We’ll see what happens.”
During his post-fight interview in the octagon, Pettis said he broke his right hand with his first punch in the first round.
