{"id":152,"date":"2026-07-03T15:31:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T15:31:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/mma\/?p=152"},"modified":"2026-07-03T15:31:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T15:31:46","slug":"max-holloway-conor-mcgregor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/mma\/2026\/07\/03\/max-holloway-conor-mcgregor\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cJust Please Show Up Saturday Night\u201d \u2013 Max Holloway Admits His Biggest Fear Before UFC 329 Showdown With Conor McGregor"},"content":{"rendered":"

With less than two weeks remaining until <\/span>UFC 329<\/span><\/a>, Conor McGregor is finally set to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon. For more than five years, fans questioned whether the former two-division champion would ever compete again after suffering a gruesome leg fracture against Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 264. His absence from the historic Freedom 250 card at the White House only intensified speculation surrounding his future.<\/span><\/p>\n

Those doubts were finally put to rest when Dana White confirmed that McGregor will headline UFC 329 against Max Holloway in a rematch 13 years in the making during International Fight Week on July 11. The bout will be contested at 170 pounds, marking Holloway’s welterweight debut and raising questions about whether McGregor can return at his best <\/span>after such an extended layoff<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, McGregor’s ring rust may not be the biggest concern heading into the fight. Although he has not competed since 2021, McGregor was originally scheduled to return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in 2024 before a broken toe forced him to withdraw. After that setback, there was little indication that the Irishman was actively preparing for another comeback.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chandler ultimately waited nearly two years in hopes of securing the lucrative matchup, only for the fight to never materialize. That history has left Holloway cautiously optimistic. Despite the fight being officially booked, the former featherweight champion admitted he will only fully believe it when McGregor actually walks into the Octagon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking in a recent <\/span>interview with MMA Junkie<\/span><\/a>, Holloway said he was encouraged to hear McGregor sounding confident ahead of the rematch but is simply hoping the former champion follows through. He said, <\/span>\u201cWhatever gets him to the octagon Saturday night, keep telling yourself that. Just please show up Saturday night.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Max Holloway relishes Conor McGregor’s talk before #UFC329<\/a> – as long as he backs it up.<\/p>\n

“Whatever gets him to the octagon Saturday night, keep telling yourself that. Just please show up.”<\/p>\n

(via @MikeBohn<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/75kOuRjnj6<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 2, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n