Waianae love #westsidebestside #blessedera pic.twitter.com/9GDM9UVHp8
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) June 6, 2017
At UFC 212, Max Holloway’s thrashing of Jose Aldo gave Hawaiians their first UFC champion since BJ Penn lost the lightweight belt to Frankie Edgar in April of 2010. It’s been a long time coming for the Hawaiians, who have been yearning for a show on the Big Island for years and absolutely love their fighting. Now we’re seeing the heartwarming hero’s welcome they gave Holloway as he got off his plane home and stepped back onto his native soil.
Holloway’s usually an intense dude who doesn’t shy away from sh*t talk, so seeing him all smiles here is definitely a welcome change of pace. Notice how the leis keep getting piled on as the video follows his return home. They almost cover his entire face by the end:
https://twitter.com/McDuckMMA/status/871962238827069440
This was planned in part by the UFC, who sent out a call to action for all locals to greet Holloway like the champion he is:
UFC is inviting fans/media to greet @BlessedMMA and @ymedeiros when they land in Hawaii. Don't do this often. Love this. Great idea. pic.twitter.com/vjJnMZtfct
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 4, 2017
Now THAT'S a homecoming‼️ Hawaii welcomes their NEW featherweight champ @BlessedMMA & @YMedeiros home today ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/QDCms20UIY
— UFC (@ufc) June 6, 2017
Seeing the (totally expected) fervor of the Hawaiian fans puts further pressure on the UFC to bring an event to Hawaii, where only Rumble on the Rock has dared to tread. Let’s do this, Dana — Edgar vs. Holloway. It’s the fight to make, and everyone knows it.
