Holloway has no sympathy for Aldo, accuses him of 'dodging' fights
Don't look to Max Holloway for a shoulder to cry on.
The 24-year-old featherweight has been open about his disdain for interim champion Jose Aldo, and the recent news of Aldo's threats to retire based on frustration with UFC's matchmaking has only made Holloway more annoyed.
Related: Aldo furious over McGregor-Alvarez booking, wants to cancel contract
In Holloway's eyes, Aldo has no right to demand anything from the promotion given his history of injury withdrawals. He also considers himself far more worthy of a fight against undisputed champ Conor McGregor, considering Aldo was knocked out by McGregor in 13 seconds last December.
Holloway currently holds a division-best nine-fight winning streak (including a 149-lb catchweight bout) and his 12 UFC featherweight wins is the record for most ever. Now he wants to be recognized as the true No. 1 contender.
"I don't say s---. Because I know I'm the best motherf---er in the world, and I'm willing to prove it, and half these motherf---ers are picking and choosing their fights, trying to cherry pick," Holloway told MMA Fighting's Chuck Mindenhall. "People say Aldo's not running, motherf---er just said in an interview that he wants to fight (Anthony) Pettis and not me, because Pettis is an easy fight.
"If that's not f---ing picking and dodging and running from a fight, I don't know what the f--- is."
Before losing to McGregor, Aldo was considered the sport's greatest featherweight. The Brazilian star went undefeated for nine years, defending his title nine times across the WEC and UFC despite missing several defenses due to neck, knee, and rib injuries.
Aldo never went more than 13 months without a bout during his championship run, and the UFC never considered creating an interim title in his absence, as the promotion did this year while McGregor was involved in a pair of welterweight bouts with Nate Diaz. Aldo defeated Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 to claim the interim belt.
Holloway considers that to be another example of the UFC granting an undeserved concession to Aldo - and hopes it's the last.
"People keep forgetting the past, of what Aldo did," Holloway said. "How many times did he screw the UFC getting hurt and not fighting in the event and the UFC scrambling around and they've got to find new fighters for the event or scratch his fight?
"People say 13 seconds … who the f--- wants to see the rematch after 13 seconds? I sure as hell don’t want to see it."