UFC newcomer discusses Max Holloway's "gatekeeper" status in FW division (Exclusive)

Max Holloway has not held the featherweight title since 2019 and has not challenged for it since a lopsided loss to Alexander Volkanovski. However, the newest featherweight on the roster still thinks the title shot is synonymous with Holloway.

Unbeaten featherweight Francis Marshall spoke to Sportskeeda MMA's James Lynch and labeled him a 'gatekeeper' for the title shot. He mentioned that 'Blessed' has already beaten interim champion Yair Rodriguez and other top contenders and thus always warrants a position in the title picture.

“Yeah, I mean I think Holloway is just like kind of a dog. I mean he’s always going to be, I feel like as long as Volkanovski’s there, he’s kind of that gatekeeper for that title fight. Like you’ve seen him beat guys like Yair, who’s now fighting for the title. You’ve seen him beat Calvin Kattar, really good, who a top contender at the time." [5:30 to 5:44 in the video below]

Marshall himself will be in action at UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes. He will be looking to extend his unbeaten start to his professional career and get his second win on the trot in the UFC.

Marshall will go up against William Gomis on the preliminary card later this month.

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Max Holloway faces Arnold Allen at UFC on ESPN 44

Max Holloway will return to action against Arnold Allen at UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen on April 15, 2023, at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. It will be the UFC's second ever visit to Kansas City.

Arnold Allen is the most in-form featherweight on the roster and is on a 12-fight winning streak. In his last two fights, Allen overcame the formidable Calvin Kattar and Dan Hooker and is currently ranked No.4 in the featherweight contenders rankings.

A win for either Holloway or Allen could help them make a serious case for a title shot depending on the result of the title unification bout between Yair Rodriguez and Alexander Volkanovski.

Francis Marshall also predicted that Max Holloway will get the better of Arnold Allen in the fight.

"And then so, I think now he’s gonna work. He [Holloway] puts out so much volume to his fights, I think he’s gonna have real success with Arnold Allen that week before.” [5:44 to 5:53]

Check out Francis Marshall's exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA on our YouTube channel: