Notes & Quotes: Holloway Expects “The Most Dangerous Conor McGregor” at UFC 329

LAS VEGAS — More than 12 years after they first shared the Octagon, Hawaiʻi’s Max Holloway and former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor are set to meet again in the main event of UFC 329 this Saturday night in Las Vegas.

The two first met in August 2013, with McGregor earning a unanimous decision victory early in both men’s UFC careers. Since then, Holloway has become one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history, while McGregor became the promotion’s biggest global superstar and the first simultaneous two-division champion.

Saturday’s rematch also marks McGregor’s first fight since suffering a gruesome broken leg in his July 2021 trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier, while Holloway looks to rebound after dropping a unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira in March, a fight that also cost him the symbolic BMF title.

The UFC 329 main card begins at 3 p.m. Hawaiʻi Time and can be watched on Paramount+.

Holloway embracing the moment

While the rematch has been years in the making, Holloway said he hasn’t spent much time dwelling on what happened in their first meeting.

“Not much. You live, you learn. Every loss to us is a learning experience… He did some great things, I did some great things, and we’re here now 13 years later. I’m excited.”

The Waianae native admitted this week feels different because of McGregor’s worldwide popularity.

“When you go on social media, you see everybody… you see the eyes, you see the clicks. It’s huge. It’s fun… Holloway vs. McGregor 2, that’s an amazing time to be alive.”

A new weight class, a new Holloway

Saturday also marks Holloway’s welterweight debut after spending nearly his entire UFC career competing at featherweight and lightweight.

Throughout camp, he repeatedly said the extra weight has allowed him to perform without the strain of severe weight cuts.

“It’s just performance up here. I love it.”

Holloway also brought reigning UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena into camp for two weeks to help prepare for McGregor’s style.

“We loved it so much he ended up staying for a second week… These guys are big boys. I love it. I love the way I feel.”

No overlooking McGregor

Despite McGregor’s five-year absence from competition, Holloway isn’t buying into the narrative that the Irishman will be diminished.

Instead, he’s preparing for the best version possible.

“I’m getting ready for the most dangerous Conor McGregor we ever saw… Once you start overlooking people, things don’t go too well for you.”

Holloway also praised McGregor’s willingness to return despite already achieving worldwide fame and financial success.

“He’s an animal, he’s a warrior… Why would a rich kid fight? To see that he’s still got that side of him is exciting.”

McGregor: “The Mac is back”

McGregor arrived to media day sounding confident that his long-awaited return will remind fans why he became one of the sport’s biggest stars.

“Hallelujah, the Mac is back… Weight’s on point, body’s on point, mind’s sharper than ever… We’re ready to go to war.”

The former featherweight and lightweight champion acknowledged the questions surrounding his comeback after such a lengthy layoff.

“Nothing better than proving people wrong… I’m going to go in Saturday night and shut them all up again.”

Five years away, zero doubts

McGregor said he never questioned whether he could return to championship form.

“No… I outwork doubt. Doubt will only build when you don’t put the work in.”

He added that the additional time away ultimately benefited his preparation after originally training for former opponent Michael Chandler before pivoting to Holloway.

“The time has worked. I’m thankful how it has worked out. I’m well ready here now.”

Respect for Holloway

While McGregor delivered plenty of his trademark confidence, he also spoke respectfully about Holloway’s accomplishments.

“Max is a great opponent. He’s got a deep body of work inside the Octagon… It’s a great fight week.”

Still, McGregor made it clear he believes history will repeat itself.

“I beat him. And I’m going to beat him again.”

A historic matchup

The rematch features two of the most accomplished strikers in UFC history.

According to UFC Stats, Holloway enters the bout with 23 UFC victories, tied for fourth-most all-time, while his 3,681 significant strikes landed remain the most in UFC history. McGregor, meanwhile, owns the second-highest post-fight bonus rate in UFC history among fighters with at least 10 bouts and remains the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion.

Now, more than a decade after their first meeting, two fighters whose careers took dramatically different paths will finally meet again—this time with far more experience, far bigger stakes, and the attention of the MMA world fixed squarely on Las Vegas.