Andrew Ravens
Max Holloway is not concerned about whether Conor McGregor shows up for UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Holloway addressed the ongoing speculation about McGregor’s reliability as a comeback opponent and made clear he has one focus heading into International Fight Week — getting a finish.
McGregor returns from a five-year absence following his broken leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. His most recent comeback attempt against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 never materialized, giving some observers reason to question whether he will make it to fight night this time. Holloway is not losing sleep over it.
“It is what it is, a fight is a fight,” Holloway said. “A lot of people talking about Conor maybe not showing up, or even if he is training, but he looks pretty dedicated from everything that he’s posting out, and I think he’s pretty serious. I think he really misses the sport and really wants to get back in there so, I’m glad for the opportunity, and July 11 can’t come soon enough.”
The two first met in 2013, with McGregor taking a unanimous decision victory — a result Holloway has been motivated to avenge ever since. He is also aware that McGregor’s pre-fight persona is as much a part of the fight as anything that happens inside the cage, and he made clear he is prepared to match that energy if necessary.
“Conor McGregor is Conor McGregor,” Holloway said. “I think he’ll be respectful to a certain point, but dude has the gift of gab. So, if he starts talking, you might actually see a little bit of Waianae boy come out of me for this one. Because not many of you guys know, if you guys want to sh-t talk, I love sh-t talking too, I just don’t do it too much. But if he wants to go that route, I’d love to tussle.”
Holloway, who holds a record of 27-9 in MMA and 23-9 in the UFC, enters the fight off a lopsided decision loss to Charles Oliveira that cost him the BMF title. He was direct about his intentions on July 11.
“I think fans are in for a treat with this fight. Two strikers, fun fight, two mixed martial artists. It’s going to be great, at a weight where me and him are both going to come in healthy. It’s going to be a fun fight, I think so. I’m going out there, I’m not looking for a long time in there, I’m looking for a big finish. International Fight Week, it’s going to be a huge crowd, huge fight, and I want to leave it with a bang.”
