Luke Thomas talks to Max Holloway's striking coach Ivan Flores about Holloway's incredible UFC 300 knockout of Justin Gaethje, the strategic lessons learned from the Alexander Volkanovski rivlary and wanting rematches with Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and even a fourth fight with Volkanovski. He also previews how Holloway and Ilia Topuria might match up.
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I’m really glad Luke has brought back this type of interview to his channel!
Yes sir
Agreed. More coach interviews
This is the one thing he's actually the best at. I like his approach for a lot of things, but this in particular he does really well.
Ivan and the rest of team Holloway are the most under appreciated team in MMA. These dudes stayed in Hawaii with a very small camp of talent to pull in comparison to the mega gyms of today and they always deliver special performances and style reinventions. Amazing
Very underappreciated. I'm from Hawai'i, and we all just start fighting at a young age. So many absolute warriors on the Hawaiian islands.
You won't even see many sloppy street fights in Hawai'i. Usually clean technique.
@lc9685 when I was growing up watching 808 scraps on KZhead was my first online striking tutorials
@@lc9685The kids from Roosevelt like to scrap down the road from my house, so one time I was walking home and they agreed to stop fighting for a minute so I could pass by 😂 There was no beef, I think they were just bored. Even when they used to have the Just Scrap events in Hilo, the kids that were 0-0 or 1-0 all looked like they had K-1 stand up.
@@HawaiianLion15 Lmao that's hilarious, brother. And I can totally picture that. And yep, you'll see it all, nice parry, slick head movement, chin tucked etc.
These types of conversations are invaluable to anyone who trains for competition or is interested in teaching and coaching. Glad Luke gets these guests and i know he enjoys them.
Knowing how much Luke appreciates Max and his team it must be a bucket list for him to interview one of his coaches
it's not his first
It can't be in his bucket list considering he has done it before.
People just say shit to say shit😂 “it’s on Luke’s bucket list to talk to maxs coach whom he’s talked to several times” lmfao
It's really cool seeing a pretty small gym develop an insanely good fighter. Plus Max is a guy that would probably be good anywhere but the chemistry he has with his coaches is magic. Sometimes the right fighter meets the right coach and the results are incredible.
Coach Flores should be sponsored by WHATNOT
"It is what it is"
This was an amazing interview. It was fascinating to get Flores' perspective on the 3rd Volk fight from a strategic aspect which you prompted by mentioning Volk's circling. Hearing him go further in depth about Volk laying traps for Max to chase for the counter only to be there waiting for him with heavy shots was so insightful. Thanks Luke!
When Ivan said it means a lot coming from Luke. I thought I saw a small smile from luke
I always listen closely to the conversations between rounds with fighters and their coaches. Ivan Flores is one of the best mma minds today and live the fact Max stuck with his day 1s and didnt go to a bigger more famous camp.
Great interview. Ivan, Rylan, Darin, and the rest of the team are solid and loyal to Max. Looking forward to whoever Max fights next.
So first off. I'm from Hawaii and I was in a Gracie Technics kickboxing class taught by Max Holloway back when I think he was 20. They introduced the new striking coach and in walk Ivan Flores. Super nice guy. Down to earth, humble, respectful. That being said.....watching Max's meteoric rise into who he has become today is nothing short of insane. I'm 41 and still do Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu to this day because of Max, Ivan and Rylan. It is a very special to get an interview with Ivan as he doesn't do them often so thank Luke and the staff (Othello maybe?) for putting this together. I was so excited for the interview I almost got in trouble at work for watching MK on the job lol anyways. You guys fuckin rock and keep doin what you're doin 🤘🏽
What a cool experience! One of my mates was a steel erector, on a Job in Dublin more than a decade ago, was always giving glowing reviews of the guy teaching striking, said he was slightly nuts, said he competed in CW, turns out that maniac was Conor Mcgregor 😂 Unreal
Enjoy listening to these chats more than most fighters. Feel like this coach doesnt bullshit with his answers.
seeing the coaches reactions brought tears to my eyes..theres something to such raw emotion thats so real and genuine espically in context of battle and seeing a brother come out victorious knowing what could happen in war..just amazing ill never forget it and im sure my kids wont forget seeing their father jump up and down screaming when max slept him. bless man foreva
Ivan is the kindest, most patient person irl. Took me from a straight goob to a decent striker. Great guy in a great gym.
Max is lucky to have such a great team. His coaches are very good but nobody gives them credit because they aren’t clout chasers who constantly make the media rounds. Max was completely transformed and rejuvenated at 155 and that is not an easy task. He was clearly prepared thoroughly. Credit to Max and his team, well done 👍
I believe the word u were looking for was... Blessed... Lol BMF Blessed Man Forever
unlike bareman?
@@user-fx5cd4px3kWhat’s the connection here? What does Bareman have to do with this team?
This interview has me cheesy smiling at all the interesting insight. Love it. So glad Luke has the relationship with these guys cuz they do not do interviews like this very often.
The streets needed this 🙏🏽
Great work this week, Luke! Thank you!
Awesome interview 👍 I wish I had a dollar every time Ivan says, "what not"
Agreed. But he's a trainer, that is what he does well. Not a talker.
$600k
Nothing but respect ..simply being humorous!
And so forth
Great guest, Luke, great guest. Thanks a million, I was really glad to hear what Ivan has to say.
You get a raise? Youve been putting out banger content this week, keep going OG
Such a joy to listen to someone so knowledgeable. Flores' analysis of Topuria/Volk was fascinating.
Team Holloway definitely the most underrated, under appreciated gym
Continuity is undervalued in MMA. These guys have a ton of experience preparing, traveling, with, cutting weight etc with this fighter. They all know each other like the back of their hand at this point. The can operate on the same wave length, same heartbeat.
What's not to like about this interview? Great questions, answers and what not...
Such amazing insight. Thanks so much to Luke and Ivan. I haven’t enjoyed an interview this much in quite some time
This is where you shine Luke, you share your technical view and then pair it with the real grinders, the people behind the scene... that's your wheelhouse.. Great interview
Nice! This was awesome
Man, Ivan seems awesome. Super happy for Max and his team. Well done, Luke.
So so glad Max's team gets to be shown and appreciated more 🙌 well deserved
AMAZING interview… as always
Damn. This is a great fucking conversation.
Excellent interview Luke. It's a privilege to listen to coach Flores speak.
Like Max said it takes a village. But Mr. Flores is a beast of a coach. True man he is 🤙🏽
This should be on podcast as well. Great interview.
The interview that was needed!!
Sick interview. What a humble guy, one of the best coaches in mma
Thank you Luke and Ivan for such in depth interview. You, sir Luke, are the best interview mind in the game. Would be such a treat to have more of these.
Most under covered team in the game. And I'm sure they prefer it that way. Great interview as a result.
Great interview so awesome hearing it from such a genuine humble coach! 🤙🏼
Thank you so mush for having Ivan on! They are such an underrated and under appreciated team. 🚂🚂🚂
Hell yeah, this was an awesome interview. So glad it happened!
So happy to see this
Banger interview my man!!
This coach is a legend and needs his flowers along with the rest of the crew those are maxs ride or dies!!! 🐲🐉
Great stuff as always, Luke!
Oh I was screaming my Ass off!! Well deserved to Holloway & his Team.
Happy to see more coach interviews 🙌
Great interview. Thanks
Insightful interview 🤝
Awesome! You never hear from these guys! Great interview
Great job Luke - always on the mark
I enjoy these coach interviews more than the fighters sometimes. I’d love to see you chat with Glover about Alex. Hit up the man in the hat for his number 😂
Great interview.
Great interview
loved this interview
Great interview, Luke is smart enough to ask the questions I don’t even think of lol
Luke, you have been crushing it on your channel since the MK changes. No rest for the weary.
Great insight from one of the great coaches of the game.
His Analysis on Volk vs. Illia is crazy. You have to get Back an analyse it for that statement Luke.
Well Done Luke!
This is cool, Max’s success is now expanding to the team, this is beautiful. High tides rises all ship’s
I am a Max vs everybody kinda guy. Been rooting for Max since he was a kid.I loved the Justin fight and the style employed. I seen Justin telegraphed a lot and hoped Max could out smart him technically,but was not holding my breath. The ko was such a high . Reality came back as I heard Illia talk head movement. Back to expecting disaster fo Max . They can never walk away on top,cash in on appearances. Plus going back down in weight usually goes bad. Only Aldo I can think it going good. Max put on muscle and is an old 32 years. This cut to 145 gonna be tough. Be blessed Max.
His assessment of Topuria is spot on. Honestly, I've always felt Max is a pretty difficult matchup for Ilia. I've followed Ilia's UFC career and even saw his documentary. I've been thinking Ilia's best chance at beating Max is to grapple, but Max has a solid BJJ game too so it wouldn't be as easy on the ground for Ilia as some think. It's def the matchup to make right now!
Hey Luke could you do one of your notorious breakdowns of the Garcia vs haney fight please and thank you. Love your content brother. 🙏🏽
I fucking love your channel luke! You are the man!
I’m comment 100! 🎉 lol Great interview…. From what I read and hear Ivan doesn’t do many interviews. Let’s go Luuuuuke!
Great interview, you know
If he thinks Ilia is just a good “boxer” then they’re all in trouble. Lol
Match ups. Absolutely awesome job! My ppl know I always say Max.
Let’s go!
An incredibly insightful interview with one of the most underrated teams in the sport. Max is a legendary fighter but his team are a big reason why.
Great interview, just wish I hadn’t had a drink every time he said whatnot 😵💫
Hell yeah, Boiiiiiiii!
Just an absolute gem of a human being and the humble loyalty they have is refreshing. Someone needs to make a meme of Max handing Ilia a beer and caption it “ hold this young man “
you one of the best
Such a chess match man!!! That team does its homework and plans a good fight!!!!
This guy is a huge reason I’m so confident in Max beating Ilia.
Ultra instinct max
Time stamps please?
Bro, nobody talks about Ivan or anyone on the Max team. These guys have enough guys for him to spar, and the technique is obviously amazing. Isreal Adesanya's coach Eugene has talked about how good the team was with no one talking about it.
Hey Luke Thomas media team. (Just Luke?). Whenever we have a soft-spoken guest in the future, can we UP their mic just a bit? I've got my laptop and YT at full volume and I still cant even hear this guy. And then I get Luke at FULL VOLUME yelling at us and disturbing the neighbors..
29:51 - about Topuria
Ivan had a similar reaction in his first visit to Sonic Drive Inn.
Whenever I'm searching for an MMA coach, I will make sure they say "whatnot" a lot
You know
Nice interview man but I get the feeling Max and his camp think that topuria is inferior to them. We will see
Imagine you would have to drink a shot everytime this guy says "and what not" or "and so forth"
@32:30 wtf was that noise ??
And at @34:12 and @34:38 lol what was going on here
Have you never heard a cough?
Luke's channel is stagnant from a growth perspective. I think his political dogmatism must have got to people.
I hope this gets the views it deserves. Nobody does these or fight breakdowns better. Thank you.
At what point does Illia turn into a grappler Bars!!!
I hope all this post fight coverage doesn't jinx max and mean he gets sparked in his next outing : / (obv i'm happy for him).
idk i could see holloway outboxing illia but i could also see illia stopping max if he hits hit clean with something
I dare you to count LT's blinks
I’m getting an ad every 5 minutes…
I genuinely hope Max fights at 155 next.
💯agree. Max looks so awesome with that extra 10 pounds and moves well. I cringe every time Max has to cut to 145 especially now that he has lose that good muscle he put on to go back down.
And whatnot...
All credit to Max and we don't make excuses, but you have to put that fight into context. Justin broke his nose on a freak injury and then had both of his eyes gouged out. By the end of the fight, he was essentially blind and unable to breathe which left him vulnerable. Being the warrior that he is, however, he never looked for a way out and fought until the last second. Had it 2-2 going into the fifth and we need to respect Justin too.
Justin got his ass beat lol
justin only won the 4th because of the slip/drop
How’d you get 2-2 going into the fifth? I’d really like to know?
@@goukhanakul one of the judges had it 2-2 as well
Ok just curious as how you got to that conclusion from the fight
The man said whatnot *49* times.
And you wasted your time counting them 👏
Ivan "and what not" Flores