Conor McGregor and Max Holloway first met in August 2013 during the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 26. Despite tearing his ACL during the bout, McGregor earned a unanimous decision victory over the then-21-year-old Holloway in what proved to be an early stepping stone toward UFC superstardom.
Now, more than a decade later, McGregor expects another victory only this time, he plans on ending matters far more emphatically. “I sonned Max when I fought him last,” McGregor told Paramount+. “I plan on doing the same again in most devastating fashion.”
Respect, But No Doubt
While McGregor has praised Holloway’s accomplishments since their first meeting, he remains convinced the gap between them is still significant. Holloway enters the rematch after one of the most successful stretches of his career, compiling a 5-3 record since McGregor’s last fight while capturing the symbolic BMF championship with his unforgettable last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
McGregor acknowledged Holloway’s durability and activity but insisted those qualities won’t be enough on fight night. “Max is a durable fighter with great skill,” McGregor said. “Not on my level, however. I’m a level above, in fact, multiple levels above skill-wise, mental-wise, physical-wise.”
A New Challenge at Welterweight
One of the biggest storylines surrounding UFC 329 is the agreed-upon weight. Rather than competing at featherweight or lightweight, the two stars will square off at 170 pounds the first time Holloway has fought at welterweight inside the UFC.
McGregor believes the weight class favors him. “We’re at 170 pounds,” McGregor explained. “He’s never fought at 170 pounds, and this is a 170-pound bout.”
The Irish superstar also pointed to Holloway’s remarkable amount of cage time as evidence that he lacks the finishing ability McGregor has built his reputation on. “He’s got the most time spent in the Octagon, which is eight and a half hours,” McGregor said. “For me, I look at that and say, ‘That means you can’t finish people.'”
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
