UFC commentator Joe Rogan was left in disbelief when Max Holloway disclosed the surprising way he learned striking for mixed martial arts early in his career.
This July, Max Holloway is set to face Dustin Poirier in a highly anticipated trilogy bout at UFC 318. This fight is particularly significant as Poirier has indicated it will be his last.
`Blessed` Holloway will be putting his BMF title on the line, a belt he dramatically secured with a last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April, creating one of the most memorable moments in UFC history.
Leading up to their third meeting in Louisiana, Poirier has publicly suggested a unique rule alteration, proposing that BMF title fights should adopt PRIDE rules.
Max Holloway`s Unconventional Learning Method Shocked Joe Rogan
The Hawaiian fighter has been a consistent presence in the UFC since his debut in 2012. Interestingly, his first opponent was Dustin Poirier, who defeated the then 19-year-old Holloway via submission in the first round, nearly causing a broken arm.
Despite that initial setback, Holloway quickly demonstrated impressive skills and remarkable resilience, signaling his potential to become a major star in the sport.
However, Holloway`s early approach to developing his striking was far from typical, a fact that profoundly surprised UFC icon Joe Rogan.
Holloway explained to Rogan: “My first seven fights in the UFC, you know the UFC (video) game? I’d use Renan Barao and Jose Aldo and I’d do stuff with them and I’d be like ‘Oh yeah, this works in the game so’, and I’d be like, ‘Look, I tried this in the game and it was working, let’s try it’, and we did it, I figured out (striking) from the regular UFC game.”
A clearly astonished Rogan simply responded, “What?”
“You learned how to strike from video games? I thought ‘Oh, he went to a traditional karate school, and then he started studying Muay Thai when he was 10’, no,” Rogan continued, expressing his amazement at the revelation.
Holloway competed in several of his initial UFC bouts without a dedicated striking coach, instead drawing techniques and strategies directly from the original UFC video game.
Dustin Poirier Commences Final Training Camp
The announcement of this trilogy fight has generated immense excitement among fans, offering a unique narrative arc given their first meeting was at the very start of their UFC journeys and their second was on relatively short notice.
The lightweight division landscape is set to change significantly with Poirier`s potential departure from the top ranks. His wife recently shared her feelings about him beginning what could be his final training camp.
She posted on Instagram: “And the journey begins! Still doesn’t feel real that you’re heading out for your final training camp. We love you so so much, see you soon.”
Gareth Tenby