Max continues to keep up and coming featherweights at bay as he climbs back to another title shot.
The Blessed One welcomed back Yair Rodriguez from a two-year layoff with a five-round back and forth battle. That being said, even with the time off Yair took Max’s durability to the limit. The first two rounds were a close with Yair primarily focusing on the leg of Max Halloway. With some of the blows that landed, it seemed like Max would soon be leaving the arena with one leg. But somehow he’d seemed to ignore it the whole fight.
From the end of the second until the final bell Max introduced more than just striking. Takedowns and smothering cliches became a part of the game plan which led to Yair having to fight of submissions attempts as well defending ground-pounding attempts. After a while, you could see the effects on his gas tank. Max pulled him into deep waters and began to pick him apart until the final bell. That being said Yair was never out of the fight still landing some good shots and combinations that may have lacked the power he needed to put down such a durable fighter.
After a decision win, it seems that another fight with Volk is necessary. Despite both being losses, they were decision losses that were considered very close and some even thought Max won one if not both encounters. There were some words that have many thinking Connor is next but Dana didn’t seem too keen on it. I know Connor is a big fight and it would be good to see a vet like Max get a big payday as well as a chance to avenge an early loss to Connor like Dustin. But I would love to see him take another shot at the title. But with fights the one he had no matter his next opponent it’s going to be another fight of the night winner. Wherever the blessed express goes all of us will be hopping aboard to go see.
