UFC star Max Holloway set to be banned from being McGregor vs Poirier stand-in fighter after injury suspension
MAX HOLLOWAY’s hopes of potentially being a late replacement for Dustin Poirier against Conor McGregor have suffered a huge blow due to a medical suspension.
The former featherweight champion declared he was staying on in Fight Island after his unanimous decision win over Calvin Kattar last Saturday.
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Holloway lost to McGregor back in 2013 but the American wants another shot at the former two-weight world champion.
Speaking after his win over Kattar, he said: “All I’ve got to say is there is a big, big fight next week – Dustin Poirier against Conor McGregor – and guess what, your boy is staying all the way through the week.
“If anything happens, Dana [White] knows my number and he can hit me up.”
Holloway plans to stay on Fight Island this week in case he is needed to step in for Poirier but his hopes of a dream rematch have hit a snag, despite his convincing performance at the weekend.
According to the official release from MMA.tv, who are the official record keepers for the Association of Boxing Commissions, he is now facing a 30 day suspension with 21 days no contact after his latest victory.
That would rule him out of potentially stepping back into the cage this weekend should anything happen to Poirer.
And his opponent Kattar is looking at a possible six-month layoff as a result of the injuries suffered during the 25-minute battle.
He has been suspended for six months or until he gets medical clearance from a doctor for his nose.
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It emerged towards the end of the bout that Kattar suffered a broken nose and he was rushed to a local medical facility in Abu Dhabi.
No official update has been made regarding his condition.
Addressing fans on Instagram, Kattar wrote: “Success in life comes when you simply refuse to give up.
“With goals so strong that obstacles, failure and loss only act as motivation. Props to Max on a hell of a fight he deserves all the praise.
“Thankful for my team’s commitment for this fight. On to the next. There is no stopping the man who doesn’t quit.”