by King Hazard
Following a disastrous weight cut for UFC 226, featherweight champion Max Holloway released his first official statement about his withdrawal.
Earlier this week, the Hawaiin native was hospitalized for showing concussion-like symptoms, which may have been caused by cutting too much weight for his title defense against Brian Ortega. There’s no official word on the exact issue that Holloway was dealing with, but he took to Instagram on Friday to provide an update on his scary situation.
It was what it was. Respect to Ortega and his team. Thank you @danawhite and the @UFC staff for making my health priority. Also thank you to @lilheathenmma and @frankieedgar for being about that champ life and stepping up. I see you. To all the fans I know this rollercoaster can be frustrating because my team is also on it with you. All I can say is I’m truly sorry and I hope you guys stay buckled in because it is far from being over. Don’t let the bad surprises distract you from the good surprises in this great sport. The best is still blessed #blessyourself
UFC president Dana White prioritized his health over the highly-anticipated title fight with Ortega, who also declined a replacement fight with Jeremy Stephens. Frankie Edgar was an alternate option, but his family refused to let him fight at UFC 226. This marks Holloway’s third fight of 2018 that he has been pulled or forced to withdraw from.
UFC 226 will continue with a main event that features a heavyweight superfight been Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier. The co-main event pits Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis in another exciting 265-pound fight.
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