With Frankie Edgar injured, Max Holloway needs a new dance partner for UFC 218.
It was all set for Holloway to defend his UFC featherweight belt against Edgar in the Detroit headliner, but a pesky facial injury in training has ruled the former lightweight champion out.
While 'The Answer' is getting ready for surgery, the UFC won't need to scramble to find a suitable candidate to replace him on the card. Plenty of top-tier fighters have already put their names forward.
Former 145 lb champ Jose Aldo has thrown his hat into the ring for an immediate rematch. Elite contender Cub Swanson, who has announced his intention to test free agency after his next fight, has offered to step in. Swanson's next scheduled opponent, the undefeated Brian Ortega, also wants a crack at 'Blessed'.
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While one would expect Holloway to look to defend his title on the card, he isn't limiting himself to replacements from the featherweight division.
His manager, Brian Butler of Sucker Punch Entertainment, sent out an Instagram post with a list of fighters he would be willing to take on in Detroit. Ortega and Swanson got an expected mention, but both lightweight champions Conor McGregor and Tony Ferguson were also thrown in there for good measure.
Interestingly, Aldo's name was omitted completely. That's not really surprising considering how definitive Holloway's TKO victory over the Brazilian legend was at UFC 212.
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Holloway's a big featherweight. Many fans have pegged him to move up to 155 lb eventually, so a jump up to fight one of the belt-holders would get a lot of folks excited.
The McGregor rematch, in particular, would be a huge occasion. Since those two duked it out in 2013, McGregor has propelled himself to superstardom while Holloway has thrust himself into the greatest featherweight of all time discussion by amassing an 11-fight win streak.
Both fighters are older, more skilled and have a lot more drawing power in 2017, plus the fact that both were injured in their first meeting only adds to the intrigue. Another cut to 145 lb
would be inadvisable for McGregor since the use of IVs for rehydration has been banned, so a superfight at 155 lbs may just be what the doctor ordered.
That being said, McGregor has his own championship to unify. Odds are, Holloway will be defending his belt at UFC 218, not moving up.
