Most of the build-up to UFC 329 has centred on Conor McGregor’s return, and understandably so. But the man across the Octagon from him on July 11 is one of the most accomplished fighters of his generation. Max Holloway has spent more than a decade at the top of the sport, and the McGregor vs Holloway odds only tell part of the story when the opponent is this proven. For all the focus on the Irishman, Holloway has every reason to believe this is his night.
The two last met in 2013, when both were prospects. Since then, Holloway has built a career that places him among the best featherweights in UFC history.
In this article, we look at the fighter standing in McGregor’s way.
A reign at featherweight
Holloway won the undisputed featherweight title in 2017, stopping the great Jose Aldo in Rio before finishing him again in the rematch. He defended the belt against the likes of Brian Ortega and Frankie Edgar, and for three years, few at 145 pounds could live with his pace. His reign ended against Alexander Volkanovski in 2019, the first meeting in a trilogy he would go on to lose, but his standing as one of the division’s all-time greats was already secure. He still holds the record for the most featherweight wins in UFC history.
The busiest hands in the sport
What sets Holloway apart is his output. He holds the UFC record for significant strikes landed, with no other fighter close, and a chin that has stood up to years of firefights. His win over Calvin Kattar in 2021 is regarded as one of the great striking displays in the promotion’s history. Even in defeat, Holloway has rarely been outworked, which is what makes him such a difficult night for anyone.
The UFC 300 moment
Holloway produced the most memorable moment of his career at UFC 300 in April 2024. Moving up to lightweight to face Justin Gaethje for the BMF title, he was ahead on the cards when, with 10 seconds left, he pointed to the centre of the Octagon and invited Gaethje to trade. He knocked him out with one second remaining, a finish hailed as one of the greatest in UFC history and one that tied the record for the latest knockout the promotion has seen.
Why he could beat McGregor
That knockout is the version of Holloway that McGregor will face. At 34, the Hawaiian is moving up to welterweight for the first time, but he has stayed active and sharp throughout McGregor’s long absence, fighting eight times in that span against a string of former champions. The UFC betting odds reflect a competitive fight, and Holloway’s volume and durability give him a clear path to victory if McGregor cannot end it early.
McGregor’s return is the headline, but Holloway is no easy mark. He has shared the cage with the best in two divisions and come through more often than not. If McGregor is to mark his comeback with a win, he will have to get past one of the toughest outs in the sport, and on current form, that is no small ask.
