LAS VEGAS — It wasn’t the ending anyone expected, least of all Max Holloway.

Holloway’s long-awaited rematch with Conor McGregor took an unexpected turn almost immediately, as the Waiʻanae native was awarded a first-round TKO victory after McGregor suffered an injury just 1:09 into the opening round.

There was no bigger stage for Holloway. UFC 329 packed 20,076 fans into a sold-out T-Mobile Arena and produced a record $26.4 million gate, the largest in UFC history. With months of anticipation surrounding McGregor’s return, the atmosphere was electric before the main event came to a stunning and unexpected end.

The fight ended almost as quickly as it began.

McGregor opened the bout by throwing a jumping scissor kick, but immediately appeared to injure his knee upon landing. The former two-division champion stumbled to the canvas twice as Holloway cautiously approached, even asking referee Mike Beltran to consider stopping the contest rather than allowing unnecessary damage to continue.

“I was trying to tell the ref sooner,” Holloway explained afterward. “This guy’s kids are front row. I don’t want to see him take unnecessary damage.”

McGregor attempted to continue, urging Holloway to keep fighting, but after standing back up he took another awkward step before grabbing his leg. Beltran quickly stepped in to wave off the bout.

“I ain’t trying to beat up a wounded dog,” Holloway said. “He’s trying to change his life around. Sending prayers his way.”

The ending was far from satisfying for Holloway, who admitted he wanted to test himself against the version of McGregor that had promised a dominant return after nearly five years away from the Octagon.

“I wanted to feel this different Conor that he’s talking about,” Holloway said. “I wanted to see that.”

Following the event, McGregor posted on social media that the injury came as a complete surprise – “My head gasket is gone. Destroyed.”

While the fight itself lasted barely over a minute, Holloway made sure Hawaiʻi was represented throughout one of the biggest nights of his career.

Before making his walk to the Octagon, Holloway, his wife Alessa and son Rush arrived at T-Mobile Arena in custom Hawaiian-inspired attire designed by Rocket Ahuna. The red-and-yellow garments represented Hawaiian royalty and were inspired by the traditional ʻahuʻula, or feather cape, worn by Hawaiian chiefs.

“I wanted to come walking in like a Hawaiian chief,” Holloway said.

When it was fight time, Holloway made his customary walk to the Octagon to “Hawaiian Kickboxer” by Moke Boy, but this time added another powerful tribute by incorporating Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s “Hawaiʻi ’78′” into his entrance for the first time.

“I’ve been thinking about it forever,” Holloway said. “When the Conor McGregor fight came up, I knew it had to be a special occasion. We know he always shouts out his country, so I had to do one the right way. It had to be ‘Hawaiʻi ’78.'”

Representing Hawaiʻi was one goal accomplished. Now, Holloway says it’s time to focus on family.

After fighting twice in just five months, the former featherweight champion plans to spend time with his family before returning to the Octagon in 2027.

“I owe my family some time,” Holloway said. “I owe my wife and my son some family time.”

As for what comes next, Holloway said he’d welcome another shot at UFC lightweight gold. He also reiterated his interest in eventually becoming a two-division champion.

“I know Dana said he has three options for me,” Holloway said. “I’m excited to hear what those are.”

UFC President Dana White declined to speculate on Holloway’s next opponent immediately after the event, saying he preferred to wait until the promotion’s matchmaking meetings later this week.

One possibility could be a rematch with newly crowned lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, though White made it clear no decisions have been made.

For now, Holloway leaves Las Vegas with another marquee victory, even if it wasn’t the way he envisioned it.

The performance may not have produced the fireworks fans anticipated, but it once again showcased the respect, humility and sportsmanship that has made “Blessed” one of the most beloved fighters in the UFC.

LAS VEGAS — Any lingering cordiality between Max Holloway and Conor McGregor disappeared Thursday as the two former UFC champions traded barbs during the official UFC 329 Press Conference at T-Mobile Arena.

Unlike Wednesday’s media day, Thursday’s event had all the feel of a classic Conor McGregor fight week. The Irish superstar was greeted with deafening cheers throughout the afternoon, while Holloway — typically one of the UFC’s most popular fighters — was met with an unusual chorus of boos from the pro-McGregor crowd.

McGregor embraced the atmosphere from the start.

With two custom Irish-themed championship belts displayed in front of him, the former featherweight and lightweight champion said they represented every record he’s accomplished in the sport before declaring he’s now chasing a third UFC title.

“These belts represent every record in the fight business. I hold them all,” McGregor said. “The OG champ-champ going for the triple crown.”

The confidence quickly turned into trash talk.

McGregor dismissed Holloway’s plan to drag him into “deep waters,” criticized the Hawaiian’s boxing and predicted an emphatic finish.

“I’m going to destroy Max. I’m going to eliminate Max,” McGregor said.

Holloway, however, refused to engage in an extended war of words.

The former featherweight champion smiled through most of the exchanges, repeatedly responding with the same message.

“We’re going to find out Saturday night.”

The two also revisited their first meeting in Boston in 2013. McGregor insisted Holloway “wasn’t going to lay a glove” on him then or now, while Holloway reminded him he landed a head kick during the fight and later predicted, “It’s going to be a long night for Conor McGregor. We’re taking him to deep, deep waters.”

One of the lighter moments of the evening came when McGregor was asked whose comeback was bigger — Oasis in 2025 or Conor McGregor in 2026.

After praising the legendary English rock band, McGregor unexpectedly sang a few lines of “Wonderwall,” drawing laughter from the crowd before turning the attention back to Saturday night’s main event.

Despite the verbal exchanges, Holloway continued to praise his opponent, saying he still expects the best version of McGregor and adding, “No excuses come Saturday night.”

The tension finally boiled over during the ceremonial faceoff.

After squaring off, McGregor reached over and knocked the sunglasses off Holloway’s head, prompting the Waianae native to step forward before UFC officials quickly separated the pair.

By the end of the evening, the tone of fight week had changed dramatically.

The crowd had overwhelmingly backed McGregor. Holloway, despite his popularity, embraced the role of the “villain”. The trash talk escalated, the faceoff nearly turned physical, and after 13 years since their first meeting, both fighters made it clear they’re ready to settle the rivalry inside the Octagon.

Holloway and McGregor headline UFC 329 on Saturday in Las Vegas. The main card begins at 3 p.m. Hawaiʻi Time and streams live on Paramount+.

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.