Conor McGregor believes his long-awaited UFC return will end in spectacular fashion.
Speaking at the UFC 329 pre-fight press conference, McGregor confidently predicted he would defeat Max Holloway in their highly anticipated rematch on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
The former two-division UFC champion didn’t call a specific round like he famously did during his “Mystic Mac” era, but his message was clear.
“Destruction. I’m going to destroy Max. I’m going to eliminate Max, the final opponent of mine still within the UFC ranks. All of my other opponents are gone. Max is the last one left and on Saturday night, he gets eliminated for good.”
The fight marks McGregor’s first appearance inside the Octagon since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. After nearly five years away from competition, UFC 329 represents one of the most anticipated comebacks in recent MMA history.
Max Holloway Looking to Spoil McGregor’s Return
While McGregor is predicting a dominant victory, Max Holloway has plans of his own.
The former UFC featherweight champion has said he wants to ruin McGregor’s comeback and even hopes to earn another fight against him before the end of the year.
Holloway previously lost a unanimous decision to McGregor in their first meeting back in 2013. Since then, both fighters have become two of the biggest names in UFC history, making Saturday’s rematch far different from their first encounter.
Rather than overlooking McGregor’s lengthy absence, Holloway said he expects to face the best version of “The Notorious.”
McGregor Takes Another Shot at Khabib Nurmagomedov
Fight week also saw McGregor reignite his rivalry with former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
During an interview ahead of UFC 329, McGregor dismissed Khabib’s accomplishments, claiming he does not rate the retired champion despite their heated rivalry dating back to UFC 229 in 2018.
McGregor argued that Nurmagomedov had too few elite opponents during his UFC career and insisted he was far from his best when they fought.
The comments quickly generated discussion across the MMA community, reviving one of the sport’s most famous rivalries even though Nurmagomedov retired several years ago.
BKFC Champion Backs McGregor
BKFC champion Franco also expressed confidence in McGregor ahead of his return.
After meeting McGregor during a BKFC event in Italy, Franco praised the Irish star’s renewed dedication to training and said fighters need competition to stay focused.
Franco admitted Holloway presents a major challenge but believes McGregor can finish the fight.
“He’s looking in good shape. He’s put his head down. He’s put in the work. It’s going to be a very good fight against Max… Hopefully he’s going to get the job done. Big knockout.”
UFC 329 Headlines International Fight Week
The UFC 329 main event headlines International Fight Week from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Beyond McGregor vs. Holloway II, the card also features Benoit Saint-Denis vs. Paddy Pimblett, Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista, Brandon Royval vs. Lone’er Kavanagh, and King Green vs. Terrance McKinney.
For McGregor, Saturday night is about proving he can still compete among the UFC’s elite after years away from competition. For Holloway, it is an opportunity to avenge the first loss of his UFC career and potentially set up another blockbuster meeting before the year ends.
FAQ
When is Conor McGregor fighting Max Holloway?
McGregor faces Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas.
When was Conor McGregor’s last UFC fight?
His last UFC appearance came at UFC 264 in July 2021 against Dustin Poirier.
What did Conor McGregor predict for UFC 329?
McGregor predicted “destruction,” saying he plans to eliminate Max Holloway in their rematch.
Who is favored to win UFC 329?
Most sportsbooks have Max Holloway entering the fight as the betting favorite despite McGregor’s confidence.
