[UFC 329] Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway

[OgNasty]

Not sure how I feel about this fight. I’m sure it will bring in a lot of money, the viewing figures will be great but it’s two men long past their best.

I was a big Conor fan but he’s been out of the game so long, I am not expecting much.

I just hope he gets to walk away from the fight game in a better way this time. Seeing him sit there in disappointment wasn’t the way his final moments should be remembered. I hope we see some flashes of vintage McGregor and a lot of striking. I don’t want to see him tap.

[TopTort777]

Worst scenario for Conor would be losing due to injury or stoppage while sitting on the stool (like Topuria). Better lose by submission or KO, then by UD or doctors stoppage. That would be more like "true warrior" style

Btw, do you expect following? As Conor is a huge star and if he continues in UFC it will bring UFC more money, they will try to fix this fight and make Conor win it. By fixing fight I mean make controversial stoppage, when Holloway is still defending, but referee stops the fight. Or rob Max on scorecards.

[OgNasty]

Worst scenario for Conor would be losing due to injury or stoppage while sitting on the stool (like Topuria). Better lose by submission or KO, then by UD or doctors stoppage. That would be more like "true warrior" style

Btw, do you expect following? As Conor is a huge star and if he continues in UFC it will bring UFC more money, they will try to fix this fight and make Conor win it. By fixing fight I mean make controversial stoppage, when Holloway is still defending, but referee stops the fight. Or rob Max on scorecards.

I'm not into any conspiracy theories on this fight, but I guess we'll see.  If Conor were to lose again because of an injury it would be clear that his career is over.  He seems to think that he's going to be active after this fight, so if that is the case I would imagine he would come out and definitively win with a knock out.  I will be watching and hoping for the best.  After the Ronda Rousey fight I just saw a few weeks (months?) ago, I don't have the highest of hopes for this one.

[TopTort777]

It could be that his career is already over, but he did not like how it was over. Sitting in the octagon with broken leg isnt the best and beautiful moment to end career. I think after that injury he had some thought about retirement, but recovery and busy life postponed everything. It wasnt cool for a guy with such a big name to end career without a proper farewell fight or to announce it not in octagon and after a fight. Now he only needs a fight where he either win and end career, or lose by decision and end career.

[eaLiTy]

It could be that his career is already over, but he did not like how it was over. Sitting in the octagon with broken leg isnt the best and beautiful moment to end career. I think after that injury he had some thought about retirement, but recovery and busy life postponed everything. It wasnt cool for a guy with such a big name to end career without a proper farewell fight or to announce it not in octagon and after a fight. Now he only needs a fight where he either win and end career, or lose by decision and end career.

Three other prominent fighters have suffered this exact, catastrophic leg-snap injury inside the cage. If you check their historical return after the injury, none of those fighters could perform the same as before.

After his similar injury, Anderson Silva won only a single fight and lost five. The same was true of Chris Weidman and Corey Hill. Conor McGregor has made a lot of money, and no one would question his legacy or how he helped turn the sport into a global phenomenon even if he never fights a farewell match. If Conor were someone who lived a very disciplined lifestyle, then there would be hope. However, that is not the case either, and it is highly likely he will suffer the same decline other fighters weren't able to avoid.

[OgNasty]

It could be that his career is already over, but he did not like how it was over. Sitting in the octagon with broken leg isnt the best and beautiful moment to end career. I think after that injury he had some thought about retirement, but recovery and busy life postponed everything. It wasnt cool for a guy with such a big name to end career without a proper farewell fight or to announce it not in octagon and after a fight. Now he only needs a fight where he either win and end career, or lose by decision and end career.

Three other prominent fighters have suffered this exact, catastrophic leg-snap injury inside the cage. If you check their historical return after the injury, none of those fighters could perform the same as before.

After his similar injury, Anderson Silva won only a single fight and lost five. The same was true of Chris Weidman and Corey Hill. Conor McGregor has made a lot of money, and no one would question his legacy or how he helped turn the sport into a global phenomenon even if he never fights a farewell match. If Conor were someone who lived a very disciplined lifestyle, then there would be hope. However, that is not the case either, and it is highly likely he will suffer the same decline other fighters weren't able to avoid.

I don't even think it is about his leg injury.  I've heard that with the right rehabilitation it is likely stronger than it was before.  However, all the time away from fighting, getting older, being obviously addicted to drugs...  Those are hard things to come back from, if it is even possible.  I doubt he will be anywhere near the fighter he once was, but I do hope to catch glimpses of it during his fight.  I just hope it isn't embarrassing for him or a disaster of a fight to watch.

[Synchronice]

Worst scenario for Conor would be losing due to injury or stoppage while sitting on the stool (like Topuria). Better lose by submission or KO, then by UD or doctors stoppage. That would be more like "true warrior" style

Why will that be worst case scenario? To my mind, it's better to lose due to injury or stoppage than to lose by submission or (T)KO. When you get submitted or knocked out, it proves that the opponent really beat you but when you lose due to injury, it can feel like the fight is not end yet, at least that's how I think and how I would think if I was a fighter. Submission or (T)KO would beat me mentally more than injury and stoppage (depends on the reason of the stoppage too).

Btw, do you expect following? As Conor is a huge star and if he continues in UFC it will bring UFC more money, they will try to fix this fight and make Conor win it. By fixing fight I mean make controversial stoppage, when Holloway is still defending, but referee stops the fight. Or rob Max on scorecards.

I don't think that there will be any kind of robbery in this match. Conor also can't continue for a long time and before he even continues, he has to start and he has to get tested. Holloway is a good exam for him. If he passes this test, it will be very interesting to see his next fights. If he fails, it also depends on how he fails.

[Pumared]

It could be that his career is already over, but he did not like how it was over. Sitting in the octagon with broken leg isnt the best and beautiful moment to end career. I think after that injury he had some thought about retirement, but recovery and busy life postponed everything. It wasnt cool for a guy with such a big name to end career without a proper farewell fight or to announce it not in octagon and after a fight. Now he only needs a fight where he either win and end career, or lose by decision and end career.

I don't think that would be a good ending for him right now, in this specific fight. I think if he wins, he'll challenge Oliveira dramatically. Then, in that fight, he could retire; in my opinion, it would be an epic comeback against two very tough guys.

[bbc.reporter]

Lets just wait for the fight. I hope it wont turn into one sided beating where one guy is dominating other and all fight look like a mismatch. If this is a return for Conor, then I wonder what he is going to do next. To stay in welterweight ? Then who is going to fight next as he is and will be unranked if he wins? Return to lightweight? Too many sharks there already (but with low media hype. so these fight wont be interesting for him and UFC).

It will not be a one sided beating hehehe. The Conor Gregor will go to the octagon very much ready and bigger than Max Holloway. Conor will be wrestling against Max from round 1 to round 3 and win this. Max will win round 4 to round 5 because Conor's stamina will be low already. However, the decision of the judges will be a split decision. The winner might be Conor or it might be Max but this will cause everyone to demand another rematch! This is my new prediction!

[danherbias07]

Worst scenario for Conor would be losing due to injury or stoppage while sitting on the stool (like Topuria). Better lose by submission or KO, then by UD or doctors stoppage. That would be more like "true warrior" style

Btw, do you expect following? As Conor is a huge star and if he continues in UFC it will bring UFC more money, they will try to fix this fight and make Conor win it. By fixing fight I mean make controversial stoppage, when Holloway is still defending, but referee stops the fight. Or rob Max on scorecards.

That's a good theory. If that event brings a lot of money (which I am sure with), then it's possible that UFC will try to fix the fight to avoid more injuries with Conor. I am against it, but it can happen. It's really possible. Since many of the fans are not expecting too much due to the long absence of Conor, they can just make a little explosion and expect to see him again in three to 6 months. I don't want that to happen, but they may be thinking the same as those who will make theories about this fight.

Anyway, my bet is already locked for Max at x1.44. It's too risky to guess what manner it will end, but it could be profitable if predicted correctly.
Holloway:
Decision: @6.00
Sub: @12.00
KO: @1.84
https://stake.games/sports/mma/ufc/ufc-329-mcgregor-vs-holloway-2/46566478-mcgregor-conor-holloway-max

[eaLiTy]

~
I don't even think it is about his leg injury.  I've heard that with the right rehabilitation it is likely stronger than it was before.  However, all the time away from fighting, getting older, being obviously addicted to drugs...  Those are hard things to come back from, if it is even possible.  I doubt he will be anywhere near the fighter he once was, but I do hope to catch glimpses of it during his fight.  I just hope it isn't embarrassing for him or a disaster of a fight to watch.

I am not sure about how good they can rehabilitate from that kind of injury. I have heard Chris Weidman talking about his return fight after he went through something similar. He said that during the training camp, he was kicking with his broken leg and felt good and confident. However, during the actual fight, his kicks felt different and started to hurt. When one of his kicks was blocked, he felt like he couldn't move.

McGregor has the money, so he can get the best medical care out there for his rehabilitation. His return is all about proving everyone wrong, so let's see how it goes.


This funny animation video by Mojahed Fudailat regarding Conor's injury was made four years ago, but it still holds up today.Conor's Titanium leg is unbreakable

[libert19]

McGregor is one of the few names who could move the needle enough to get a lot of people to subscribe to Paramount+. That is my guess as to why they are bringing him back.

Well, he's the reason I checked this thread. Not gonna subscribe to paramount+ to watch this fight but might check highlights later on. But, I am sure, there would be good number of people who would subscribe.

... and he has only won one fight since that lose to Khabib in 2018. Just on that, I'll be betting on Max to win this.

Holy shit! I find it hard to believe it's been 8 years since that Khabib fight. They say, as you get older, time passes fast — sounds about right.

...



This funny animation video by Mojahed Fudailat regarding Conor's injury was made four years ago, but it still holds up today.Conor's Titanium leg is unbreakable

I remember watching this animations years ago, and finding 'em hilarious. Not today though, for some reason.

[coin-investor]

It's only a week before this highly anticipated rematch, and while watching on YouTube, their first match showed up in my feed. The match happened in 2013. I can help, but wonder if Connor can still do what he did in their first match. In their first match, things looked easy for Connor. He could easily do a front-hooked kick and takedown Max.
Can he do it this time? Holloway's offense and defense have improved over the years, so he has countered Connor's every move. These are interesting things to watch out for.

Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 1 | FULL FIGHT

[libert19]

It's only a week before this highly anticipated rematch, and while watching on YouTube, their first match showed up in my feed. The match happened in 2013. I can help, but wonder if Connor can still do what he did in their first match. In their first match, things looked easy for Connor. He could easily do a front-hooked kick and takedown Max.
Can he do it this time? Holloway's offense and defense have improved over the years, so he has countered Connor's every move. These are interesting things to watch out for.

Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 1 | FULL FIGHT

Oh I thought it was first time fight, and I also thought that this Holloway guy was some new young blood but now that I understand he's also a veteran fella and around the same age as Connor... so I have got expectations changed for the fight now... earlier I thought Connor is likely gonna get thrashed due to his age, now I think it'll be competitive.

[aioc]

It's only a week before this highly anticipated rematch, and while watching on YouTube, their first match showed up in my feed. The match happened in 2013. I can help, but wonder if Connor can still do what he did in their first match. In their first match, things looked easy for Connor. He could easily do a front-hooked kick and takedown Max.
Can he do it this time? Holloway's offense and defense have improved over the years, so he has countered Connor's every move. These are interesting things to watch out for.

Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 1 | FULL FIGHT

Oh I thought it was first time fight, and I also thought that this Holloway guy was some new young blood but now that I understand he's also a veteran fella and around the same age as Connor... so I have got expectations changed for the fight now... earlier I thought Connor is likely gonna get thrashed due to his age, now I think it'll be competitive.

The only difference, and possibly a big factor, is their inactivity. Connor last fought on July 10, 2021, while Holloway's last fight was on March 7, 2026, at UFC 326 against Charles Oliveira, so it's a five-year difference in activity, Holloway is still very fresh while Connor is going to battle ring rust due to inactivity, and we all know if you are inactive for a long time, there is a possible issue on stamina.

[OgNasty]

I’m looking forward to this event next weekend. I really hope it isn’t a disappointment. I feel like McGregor hasn’t been his usual self in promoting the fight and being all over the news. Maybe that is just because not many people care anymore, but I’m hoping this fight isn’t a disappointment.

[bbc.reporter]

@OgNasty. This implies that Conor might not be back, I reckon. There certainly is an argument that he is only back to get his money because he is low on liquid cash in his bank account. However, another argument might be he is only preserving his energy for the fight because of his older age.

In any case, I have made my prediction already and I will not change this! We will witness a new type of Conor Gregor!

[TopTort777]

Worst scenario for Conor would be losing due to injury or stoppage while sitting on the stool (like Topuria). Better lose by submission or KO, then by UD or doctors stoppage. That would be more like "true warrior" style

Why will that be worst case scenario? To my mind, it's better to lose due to injury or stoppage than to lose by submission or (T)KO. When you get submitted or knocked out, it proves that the opponent really beat you but when you lose due to injury, it can feel like the fight is not end yet, at least that's how I think and how I would think if I was a fighter. Submission or (T)KO would beat me mentally more than injury and stoppage (depends on the reason of the stoppage too).

Btw, do you expect following? As Conor is a huge star and if he continues in UFC it will bring UFC more money, they will try to fix this fight and make Conor win it. By fixing fight I mean make controversial stoppage, when Holloway is still defending, but referee stops the fight. Or rob Max on scorecards.

I don't think that there will be any kind of robbery in this match. Conor also can't continue for a long time and before he even continues, he has to start and he has to get tested. Holloway is a good exam for him. If he passes this test, it will be very interesting to see his next fights. If he fails, it also depends on how he fails.

For me worst scenario is to lose by injury or stoppage while sitting on the stool means: 1) you havent shown everything you had prepared, injury forced you to quit 2) you were preparing for next round, mentally you were ready to continue, but someone tell you to quit. Losing by submission or (T)KO means your opponent was better and that is a fair loss. You lose because opponent was better, not because someone (team, doctor) made you quit, your body decided that you must quit (injury), or judges decided that someone is better, even though you disagree to that.

[Oluwa-btc]

@OgNasty. This implies that Conor might not be back, I reckon. There certainly is an argument that he is only back to get his money because he is low on liquid cash in his bank account. However, another argument might be he is only preserving his energy for the fight because of his older age.

In any case, I have made my prediction already and I will not change this! We will witness a new type of Conor Gregor!

Maybe true but he has more to prove after staying away from the ring and fight for a very long time now. His legendary stuffs and moments speaks of him in the past already.
He wouldn't want to see this fight lost. And I don't know why more pressure is on Conor than it is for Max. Too many people thinking he has the edge over Conor because he has been around fighting. Keen to see what improvements his on ever since they last fought in the year 2013.

[coin-investor]

Oh I thought it was first time fight, and I also thought that this Holloway guy was some new young blood but now that I understand he's also a veteran fella and around the same age as Connor... so I have got expectations changed for the fight now... earlier I thought Connor is likely gonna get thrashed due to his age, now I think it'll be competitive.

Nope, they are old blood, and I have a feeling the fight will be very different from their first one, as both have matured and have gone through a lot of fights, but the spotlight will be on McGregor because of his long inactivity. Many have advised him to cherry-pick before he gets into a tough match, but instead, he chose a dangerous road and one of the most dangerous fighters, Holloway, who is coming from a tough match just this March.