The UFC Featherweight Champ is taking all the right precautions after coming across concussion-like symptoms during training. Max Holloway was scheduled to headline UFC 226 this Saturday on a card that also features Stipe Miocic putting his Heavyweight strap on the line against former champ Daniel Cormier.
According to a report obtained by ESPN, "Max's team and UFC staff noticed Max was not normal since late last week." His manager Brian Butler prepared a press release after observing Holloway’s behavior and his conduct in interviews.
"He was showing concussion-like symptoms before he even started his weight cut and was rushed to the ER on Monday where they admitted him overnight. Initial scans seemed OK, and he was released Tuesday afternoon, but symptoms still continued,” said Butler in a written statement.
Once a decision was taken to lighten his load, there was still a slight hesitation to call off the fight against Brian Ortega, a fighter training out of Torrance, California. At this point, it’s unclear whether the UFC will remove Ortega from the co-main event, or find his replacement in a number one contender’s match.
Holloway’s withdrawal marks the second time in a row the Featherweight Champ was forced to pull out from scheduled bout. He was famously taken off the UFC 223 card because he was having trouble cutting weight. He also missed UFC 222 due to an ankle injury which failed to heal in time.
