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The focus around July's UFC 329 headliner is largely and rightfully centered around Conor McGregor and his comeback, but what does it mean for Max Holloway?
Former featherweight champion and BMF titleholder Holloway (27-9 MMA, 23-9 UFC) enters his July 11 rematch with McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (Paramount+) on the heels of two losses in his past three fights.
Holloway lost the BMF belt to Charles Oliveira in March, beat Dustin Poirier in Poirier's retirement fight in July 2025, then was knocked out for the first time against Ilia Topuria in a 145-pound title bout in October 2024. The Hawaiian is a heavy favorite over McGregor, which puts some pressure on him to deliver at UFC 329.
Although the odds are in his favor, Holloway, who dropped a decision to McGregor in their first meeting in August 2013, seemingly is in a must-win scenario if he wants to keep his UFC title dreams alive. Losing to a version of McGregor who hasn't fought in five years, while falling to 1-3 in his past four, would be detrimental on paper.
UFC Hall of Famer and color commentator Michael Bisping thinks that outlook is too grim, however. It wouldn't be ideal, but Bisping sees big opportunities for Holloway on the other side of UFC 329 – win or lose.
"Max has been around forever. He's 34 now, been part of the roster since he was 19. It's insane," Bisping told MMA Junkie. "The career that he's had, that's been unbelievable. Even that fight with Ilia Topuria – I was watching it on the flight over here. I forgot. He was doing really good. It was a very competitive fight until he got stopped. It favors Max Holloway. He's got the numbers. He's got the resume. He's been fighting nothing but the best, probably three times a year the whole time Conor's been away. If he loses, it's not the end of the world. I think Max Holloway will be just fine if he loses this fight."
Ultimately Bisping doesn't see this becoming a real concern for "Blessed." Although he thinks McGregor is being doubted too heavily going into his comeback fight, he currently gives Holloway a great chance to get his hand raised.
"I don't think he's probably going to lose it," Bisping said. "He's probably going to do very, very well."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Michael Bisping: Max Holloway loss to Conor McGregor 'not the end of the world'
Continue reading...
Former featherweight champion and BMF titleholder Holloway (27-9 MMA, 23-9 UFC) enters his July 11 rematch with McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (Paramount+) on the heels of two losses in his past three fights.
Holloway lost the BMF belt to Charles Oliveira in March, beat Dustin Poirier in Poirier's retirement fight in July 2025, then was knocked out for the first time against Ilia Topuria in a 145-pound title bout in October 2024. The Hawaiian is a heavy favorite over McGregor, which puts some pressure on him to deliver at UFC 329.
Although the odds are in his favor, Holloway, who dropped a decision to McGregor in their first meeting in August 2013, seemingly is in a must-win scenario if he wants to keep his UFC title dreams alive. Losing to a version of McGregor who hasn't fought in five years, while falling to 1-3 in his past four, would be detrimental on paper.
UFC Hall of Famer and color commentator Michael Bisping thinks that outlook is too grim, however. It wouldn't be ideal, but Bisping sees big opportunities for Holloway on the other side of UFC 329 – win or lose.
"Max has been around forever. He's 34 now, been part of the roster since he was 19. It's insane," Bisping told MMA Junkie. "The career that he's had, that's been unbelievable. Even that fight with Ilia Topuria – I was watching it on the flight over here. I forgot. He was doing really good. It was a very competitive fight until he got stopped. It favors Max Holloway. He's got the numbers. He's got the resume. He's been fighting nothing but the best, probably three times a year the whole time Conor's been away. If he loses, it's not the end of the world. I think Max Holloway will be just fine if he loses this fight."
Ultimately Bisping doesn't see this becoming a real concern for "Blessed." Although he thinks McGregor is being doubted too heavily going into his comeback fight, he currently gives Holloway a great chance to get his hand raised.
"I don't think he's probably going to lose it," Bisping said. "He's probably going to do very, very well."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Michael Bisping: Max Holloway loss to Conor McGregor 'not the end of the world'
Continue reading...
