UFC champ Max Holloway signs on for 'Den of Thieves' movie, hopes to be cleared next week

HOUSTON – UFC interim featherweight champion Max Holloway said he’s recovered after re-injuring his ankle at UFC 206, and he’s still gunning for undisputed champ Jose Aldo.

Holloway (17-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC), No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA featherweight rankings, previously said he’d defend his interim title as many times as needed and called out top featherweights.

But on Thursday, he again pushed his “Jose Waldo” hashtag in an interview with USA TODAY Sports at an NFL media day ahead of Super Bowl LI in Houston. He’s back in the gym preparing for his next fight – hopefully against the No. 1-ranked Brazilian champ.

“I’ve got that last doctor visit to get cleared, but I’m back training, and it feels good,” he said. “It felt good to relax a little bit. The ankle’s all good. I can’t wait to get in there and get the fight, (but) it comes back to let’s find Waldo.”

While he waits, Holloway is taking on a new role as an actor. The 25-year-old Hawaiian said he’s signed on to the new Gerard Butler and 50 Cent action flick “Den of Thieves” to play a bank robber, and he starts filming next week.

“Everyone loves a villain, so it’s time to be the bad guy,” Holloway said.

The 25-year-old fancies himself a good guy outside of the octagon, but he’s had more than his share of trouble getting to the undisputed title. After agreeing to fight Aldo (17-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) at UFC 208, he was forced to withdraw to heal from his ankle injury. Aldo subsequently blasted him in the media, and he recently talked up a potential turn toward boxing.

Holloway hope to get Aldo back on track as he continues to take his case to the people via social media.

“Tell your grandma, tell your aunt – people have dog and cat pages, so tell them all now,” he said. “(Aldo) has to be found. We have to get these belts united.”

Asked whether he thinks the fight will happen, Holloway said, “I hope so. Homeboy’s taking so long, I had to take something else. We’ve got much longer to find him. I’m going to be in this movie, and you guys have more time to find him now.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.