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LAS VEGAS – A big part of the MMA fan base believes Conor McGregor is going to get run over in his return to the cage. Well, his opponent, Max Holloway, couldn't disagree more with that narrative.
After five long years, McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is finally stepping back in the cage. He takes on Holloway (27-9 MMA, 23-9 UFC), whom he beat in 2013, in a five-round bout contested at 170 pounds in the main event of UFC 329 at the T-Mobile Arena.
Since the betting odds opened up, the lines have shifted toward Holloway, signaling little confidence in the Irishman. After all, McGregor hasn't fought in five years, broke his leg in half the last time he competed, and hasn't led the most athlete-friendly lifestyle, as he portrays on his own accord on social media. On the other hand, Holloway has fought numerous times and picked up big wins, including an all-time KO of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
Yet, despite all that, Holloway still finds the notion of this being an easy win for him insane.
"I mean, that's crazy talk. A lot of these people and fans are counting Conor out, which is crazy," Holloway said at the UFC 329 media on Wednesday. "A lot of people counted Justin Gaethje out (vs. Ilia Topuria). This is a different situation, right? This guy has unlimited money, he has a lot of connections, he's coming off a crazy injury, he supposedly found God, his kids are going to be here at the fight. I saw him with Tim Grover; I don't know if that's the coach now. He's doing all the right things. I'm getting ready for the most dangerous Conor McGregor we ever saw, and nobody is telling me otherwise because once you start overlooking people, things don't go too well for you."
Many questioned if McGregor was ever going to get back in the cage. He's wealthy, has a strong legacy as a former two-division UFC champion, and had a big health scare with his leg break in 2021. Yet, here he is fighting again – which Holloway respects and considers a sign of danger.
"He's an animal. He's a warrior," Holloway said. "Nothing but respect. There's a saying that I grew up watching; I forget what boxing promoter said it, but I was watching a documentary, and he said, 'Why the hell would a rich kid fight? Rich kids don't need to fight. Poor kids fight.' To see that he still has that side of him is exciting."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Max Holloway: It's 'crazy talk' to count out Conor McGregor at UFC 329
Continue reading...
After five long years, McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is finally stepping back in the cage. He takes on Holloway (27-9 MMA, 23-9 UFC), whom he beat in 2013, in a five-round bout contested at 170 pounds in the main event of UFC 329 at the T-Mobile Arena.
Since the betting odds opened up, the lines have shifted toward Holloway, signaling little confidence in the Irishman. After all, McGregor hasn't fought in five years, broke his leg in half the last time he competed, and hasn't led the most athlete-friendly lifestyle, as he portrays on his own accord on social media. On the other hand, Holloway has fought numerous times and picked up big wins, including an all-time KO of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
Yet, despite all that, Holloway still finds the notion of this being an easy win for him insane.
"I mean, that's crazy talk. A lot of these people and fans are counting Conor out, which is crazy," Holloway said at the UFC 329 media on Wednesday. "A lot of people counted Justin Gaethje out (vs. Ilia Topuria). This is a different situation, right? This guy has unlimited money, he has a lot of connections, he's coming off a crazy injury, he supposedly found God, his kids are going to be here at the fight. I saw him with Tim Grover; I don't know if that's the coach now. He's doing all the right things. I'm getting ready for the most dangerous Conor McGregor we ever saw, and nobody is telling me otherwise because once you start overlooking people, things don't go too well for you."
Many questioned if McGregor was ever going to get back in the cage. He's wealthy, has a strong legacy as a former two-division UFC champion, and had a big health scare with his leg break in 2021. Yet, here he is fighting again – which Holloway respects and considers a sign of danger.
"He's an animal. He's a warrior," Holloway said. "Nothing but respect. There's a saying that I grew up watching; I forget what boxing promoter said it, but I was watching a documentary, and he said, 'Why the hell would a rich kid fight? Rich kids don't need to fight. Poor kids fight.' To see that he still has that side of him is exciting."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Max Holloway: It's 'crazy talk' to count out Conor McGregor at UFC 329
Continue reading...
