Islam Makhachev would accept Max Holloway fight, says coach

Islam Makhachev would accept a fight with Max Holloway if the UFC offers it, according to the champion's longtime coach Javier Mendez.

Mendez told Submission Radio that both fighters are open to the matchup following Holloway's victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 329 on July 11. Sherdog reports that the American Kickboxing Academy coach sees neither man backing down from the challenge, despite Holloway's lopsided grappling loss to Charles Oliveira earlier this year.

Mendez on Holloway's warrior mentality

"Whatever the UFC wants to do, Islam's going to say yes and Max is a legend and he doesn't back down from anybody," Mendez said. "You can't cross Max out in any competition because he's game. Whether he does well or not, well, I don't know. But he's game for it, so you can't ever cross him out. He's got the mind of a warrior and the mindset of a champion, so he's up for any challenge, I feel."

Holloway had called for a Makhachev fight ahead of UFC 329. A McGregor win would have set up a potential mega-fight between the Irishman and the current welterweight champion, but the bout ended early when McGregor suffered an injury. Mendez admitted he was disappointed by the result, calling the lost opportunity for a McGregor fight "a bummer."

No timeline has been announced for a potential Makhachev-Holloway bout.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Coach Javier Mendez says Islam Makhachev would accept Max Holloway fight