Conor McGregor’s long-awaited comeback is finally just a week away, as the Irish superstar returns after a five-year layoff to face Max Holloway in the welterweight main event of UFC 329. The matchup marks Holloway’s debut at 170 pounds, while McGregor owns a 2-1 record in the division.
That experience has led several fighters, including Ian Garry, to back the former two-division champion to capitalize on his power and finish Holloway despite not competing since UFC 264 in 2021. With the fight drawing closer, it is particularly interesting to hear what Jose Aldo has to say about the matchup, considering the Brazilian has shared the Octagon with both men.
Aldo reigned over the featherweight division for years before McGregor famously ended his dominant run. In the lead-up to their title clash at UFC 194 in 2015, McGregor relentlessly played mind games with the champion, building tension for months.
When the fight finally began, an emotional Aldo rushed forward, only to be caught flush by McGregor’s trademark counter left hand. The Brazilian was knocked out just 13 seconds into the bout, suffering the first defeat of his UFC career and losing his featherweight title in one of the sport’s most iconic moments.
Aldo rebounded impressively by capturing the interim featherweight championship, but his path soon crossed with a rising Holloway. The pair met twice in 2017, and both contests signaled the changing of the guard in the division. In each fight, Aldo enjoyed early success, landing heavy combinations and looking every bit the elite champion he had been for years.
However, Holloway’s relentless pace, exceptional cardio, and overwhelming striking volume gradually took over. ‘Blessed’ broke Aldo down before securing third-round TKO victories in both their meetings at UFC 212 and UFC 217. Speaking ahead of UFC 329, Aldo acknowledged that Holloway deserves to enter the contest as the favorite because of his recent activity.
However, he believes writing McGregor off would be a mistake, given the Irishman’s proven knockout ability. In an interview with Covers.com, the Brazilian said, “For me it’s a very competitive fight. McGregor may be the betting underdog, but honestly, I think he has a better chance of beating Max today than he had of beating Khabib back then. The favorite is Max Holloway, not because he’s vastly superior, but because he’s still active.”
The former two-time featherweight champion added, “Conor is an unknown quantity. We haven’t seen him fight in a very long time. We don’t know where his conditioning, timing or confidence are at. That’s why I put Max one step ahead. That doesn’t mean Conor can’t go in there and knock him out. That can absolutely happen.”
Aldo also praised McGregor’s striking ability but ultimately gave Holloway a slight edge because of the uncertainty surrounding the Irishman’s return after such a lengthy absence. He said, “So I have Max slightly ahead, but I’m a long way from saying Conor has no chance. The biggest question right now is simply which version of McGregor is going to show up on fight night.”
Holloway and McGregor first shared the Octagon back in 2013 in a featherweight clash that now feels like it happened in a completely different era of the UFC. Both fighters went into that bout carrying injuries. Holloway was dealing with an ankle issue, while McGregor famously tore his ACL during the fight, an injury that required surgery and kept him out of action for several months.
Now, 13 years later, both men have cemented their places as UFC legends. But their journeys since that first meeting have been very different. Holloway has stayed active, taking on elite opponents like Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Ilia Topuria. McGregor, meanwhile, hasn’t competed since UFC 264 five years ago. That makes their rematch even more intriguing, as fans will find out whether the former two-division champion can still perform at his best or if a lengthy layoff has left him with signs of ring rust.
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