Las Vegas – Max Holloway will compete as a welterweight for the first time this Saturday, when he faces off against the returning Conor McGregor in the main event of UFC 329.
Holloway (27-9), a former featherweight and BMF champ, has competed at lightweight as well as 145lbs in recent years. 170lbs is new territory, however, and to help with the transition, Hawaii’s “Blessed” brought in ex-champ Jack Della Maddalena for a planned week-long training stint to assist.
“I think bringing him in was huge. It was good fun, and we get to find out Saturday night,” Holloway told media outlets including Cageside Press on Wednesday, adding that Maddalena worked out so well, they extended his time in camp for an extra week.
Holloway faces McGregor for the second time at UFC 329, after losing a decision to the Irish superstar back in 2013. Getting another crack at an old foe, “it’s huge,” noted Holloway. “Who would have thought that Conor was even coming back after what happened with the injury, and with him and his other injury with the fight that he had. It’s just big. I finally get to right a wrong, and I’m looking forward to it. He’s a killer, and I’m looking forward to seeing the best Conor McGregor come July 11.”
McGregor snapped his leg in a fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021, then broke his toe ahead of his planned return in 2024 at UFC 303, where he had been paired up with Michael Chandler. A lot of stars had to align for Max Holloway to finally be McGregor’s return fight — and earn the associated payday.
On the money front, “It’s beautiful, bruh,” said Holloway. “I’ll tell you this much, every single guy, fighter, non-fighter, is saying that I’m fighting for money. I’m a prize fighter, this is what we do. If you wasn’t fighting for money, you’re an idiot.”
As to how he proves to McGregor that he’s no longer the top dog in the game, “I’m gonna go in there and put paws on him,” stated Holloway. “I’m going to make him wish that he didn’t come back. Actually no, I’m not gonna make him wish that. I’m going to make him think he can do it one more time, so we can rematch at the end of the year.”
Hopefully, should it happen, it goes better than McGregor’s last rubber match.
Watch the full UFC 329 media day appearance by Max Holloway above.
