Max Holloway told Jon Anik about middleweight plans years ago

Max Holloway may not stop at welterweight when he steps into the cage with Conor McGregor on Saturday.

UFC commentator Jon Anik said on Submission Radio that Holloway told him years ago he planned to fight at middleweight before retiring. "Max Holloway said to me probably 8 or 9 years ago that he was going to take a UFC fight at middleweight before all was said and done," Anik said, per MMA Fighting. "So I'm fascinated to see how his frame looks on the scale and what he looks like as a UFC welterweight."

What Holloway's welterweight debut means for future weight moves

Holloway faces McGregor in a welterweight rematch at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, thirteen years after they first met at featherweight. The former featherweight champion has never competed at 170 pounds and lost two bids for the lightweight title. McGregor, by contrast, won belts at both featherweight and lightweight before fighting twice at welterweight.

Anik believes the move up could suit Holloway's frame and open paths to bigger fights. He noted that a win over McGregor could position Holloway for a shot at Islam Makhachev, the current welterweight champion, saying there would not be a crazy size gap between the two. "I wouldn't put it past him to fight at 185 before it's all said and done," Anik added.

UFC 329 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Morning Report: Jon Anik reveals Max Holloway told him about middleweight plans ‘8 or 9 years ago’