Nobody was more disappointed in the final verdict of the UFC 251 co-main event than Max Holloway.
The Hawaiian had an improved strategy in his rematch with reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and it showed, as “Blessed” rocked his opponent in both the first and second round while displaying a versatile offensive arsenal. The title bout was closely contested the rest of the way, but Volkanovski attacked with a sense of urgency down the stretch to earn a contentious split-decision triumph.
Many in the MMA media scored the contest for Holloway, and it appears that quite a few fans felt the same way, too. However, Holloway issued a statement on social media urging those disgruntled fans to find the proper perspective.
“Just landed in Vegas for another quarantine and was told some guys in the media are receiving threats for saying my fight was not a robbery. This is not ok. I appreciate everyone who wants to ride for me but that ain't it,” Holloway wrote on Twitter. “Life isn't fair. It's even more unfair for many many other people in the world than it will ever be for me. People are unemployed right now with no end in sight and it's not their fault.
“It is what it was. Nothing changed for me as a fighter. We proved our point. I still have my five belts at home. I'm 28 and healthy. Blessed era continues. Bless yourself.”
After going undefeated in 13 UFC appearances from 2014 to 2018, Holloway has lost three of his last four contests — including two setbacks to Volkanovski.
Just landed in Vegas for another quarantine and was told some guys in the media are receiving threats for saying my fight was not a robbery. This is not ok. I appreciate everyone who wants to ride for me but that ain't it.
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 13, 2020
Life isn't fair. It's even more unfair for many many other people in the world than it will ever be for me. People are unemployed right now with no end in sight and it's not their fault.
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 13, 2020
It is what it was. Nothing changed for me as a fighter. We proved our point. I still have my five belts at home. I'm 28 and healthy. Blessed era continues. Bless yourself
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 13, 2020