Preview: UFC 194 ‘Aldo vs. McGregor’

Featherweights

Max Holloway (14-3) vs Jeremy Stephens (24-11)

THE MATCHUP: Holloway is rapidly establishing himself as a serious contender at featherweight. Riding a seven-fight winning streak, the Hawaiian fighter is coming into his own remarkably well for a man of only 23 years. Striking is the backbone of Holloway’s style. He stands on the cutting edge of MMA standup technique, alongside men like T.J. Dillashaw, Conor McGregor and Demetrious Johnson. Holloway switches stance smoothly, and unlike other, more limited fighters, he seems to fight equally well out of either position.

Variety is really the key to Holloway’s success. Not only does he throw a diverse array of attacks, but there is variety in how he throws them. He attacks the body, strikes equally well at long and short range and cuts surprising angles in the midst of combinations. Grappling was once a weak spot for Holloway, but he has developed a dangerous, aggressive ground game over the past two years, with a killer high-elbow guillotine. On top of that, Holloway’s takedown defense means he rarely goes to the ground unless he wants to. Typically, he will keep aggressive grapplers from tying him up by using a sharp, accurate jab and quick, angular footwork. When opponents do manage to close the distance, Holloway quickly secures a whizzer, finds an angle and escapes, often landing a hard elbow or knee on the way out.

Since a move to Alliance MMA and a drop to 145 pounds, Stephens has found new life as a fighter, even after 35 fights and nearly 11 years of professional experience. Where Holloway is busy diversifying his approach, Stephens has only focused on refining his. Once a wild brawler, the 29-year-old veteran has made major strides with his footwork and counterstriking. Stephens was a major underdog in his most recent bout with prospect Dennis Bermudez, but precise, well-timed counterpunches kept him in the fight until a well-timed flying knee made him the winner by knockout.

Stephens has been billed as a wrestle-boxer in the past, but it is hard to imagine him taking down Holloway or competing with him on the ground thereafter. Stephens can hit a solid reactive double when the mood strikes him, but his wrestling is typically defensive in nature.

THE ODDS: Holloway (-525), Stephens (+410)

THE PICK: In his fight with Cub Swanson, Stephens struggled the most when Swanson stuck to his jabs and boxed from the outside. There is no doubt Holloway can do the same and more consistently than Swanson, thanks not only to his exceptional hands but also a wide array of kicks. Holloway should be able to pepper Stephens from range, chopping him down bit by bit until the opportunity arises for a fight-ending salvo. Stephens is durable and powerful, so Holloway will have to be cautious, but the Hawaiian has never lacked defensive awareness once he gets into his rhythm. Holloway wins by TKO in the third round.

Last Fights » The Prelims