UFC 326: Max Holloway says coaches don’t like referencing brands but it makes him feel ‘alive’

Holloway, 34, first landed the takedown against Ricardo Lamas in 2016, while he repeated it against Dustin Poirier last year to become the first fighter to defend the BMF title.

In each fight, Holloway started on the landing spot, was at the top of the judges’ score sheet and was close to winning, meaning he gave opponents one last chance to steal the victory.

“My coaches aren’t a fan of it, they want me to step back, stay out and be smart for 10 seconds,” Holloway said.

“But they came up with great game plans and we’ve executed them up to this point. So let me have 10 seconds of fun, you know. If I’m on the wrong end, so be it.”

Fans imitate the gesture during encounters with Holloway, while fellow fighters have also imitated it during matches.

Charles Oliveira, who faces Holloway for the BMF title at UFC 326 in Las Vegas on Saturday, was photographed practicing the edge-of-your-seat exchange that follows the point down.

Holloway has created a set of rules for any fighter, including Oliveira, planning to initiate a landing spot.

“If you win the fight, you’re the guy who can call the 10 seconds. And then when you call the 10 seconds, you can’t back away or shoot or clinch,” Holloway said.

“The other guy, if he obliges and then shoots or clinches, whatever, because he’s already on the losing side.”