Holloway releases statement following UFC 226 withdrawal

Forced out of what was to be his next title defense, Max Holloway has accepted that it is what it is.

The featherweight champion withdrew from the main event of UFC 226 this Saturday in Las Vegas after being hospitalized earlier this week due to concussion-like symptoms. There is no official word yet on the exact issue that Holloway is dealing with, but he took to social media on Friday to provide an update on his situation:

It was what it was. Respect to Ortega and his team. Thank you @danawhite and the @UFC staff for making my health priority. Also thank you to @lilheathenmma and @frankieedgar for being about that champ life and stepping up. I see you. To all the fans I know this rollercoaster can be frustrating because my team is also on it with you. All I can say is I’m truly sorry and I hope you guys stay buckled in because it is far from being over. Don’t let the bad surprises distract you from the good surprises in this great sport. The best is still blessed #blessyourself

A post shared by Max Holloway (@blessedmma) on Jul 6, 2018 at 11:04am PDT

In his post, Holloway acknowledged his scheduled opponent Brian Ortega and thanked the UFC and company president Dana White for prioritizing his health. He also showed gratitude to featherweight contenders Jeremy Stephens and Frankie Edgar for stepping up to save Saturday’s co-main event (Ortega declined the Stephens fight and Edgar’s family wouldn’t allow him to take the fight, according to White).

This is the third fight of 2018 that Holloway has been pulled or forced to withdraw from.

“To all the fans I know this rollercoaster can be frustrating because my team is also on it with you,” Holloway wrote. “All I can say is I’m truly sorry and I hope you guys stay buckled in because it is far from being over. Don’t let the bad surprises distract you from the good surprises in this great sport. The best is still blessed.”

Holloway also thanked UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, and Michael Bisping for their support.

Thank you my brother. I know you know what it is because your whole team is champions. Peace be with you https://t.co/WEtHgunoh3

— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 6, 2018

Thank you champ champ. One of the best minds in this game said we win or learn. This is learning for me. Hope to see you back brother https://t.co/qdj9IbZDPg

— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 6, 2018

Thank you for being a true friend and calling me out on TV. This fight game breaks when champs can’t be checked https://t.co/IYKTuHsrZw

— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 6, 2018