Max Holloway refuses to write off Conor McGregor despite five-year layoff, promises violent UFC 329 clash

Conor McGregor is finally set to return to the UFC after spending more than five years away from competition. The former two-division champion will face Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329 on Saturday.

The fight is a rematch of their first meeting in 2013, when McGregor defeated Holloway by unanimous decision.Despite McGregor’s long break from the Octagon, Holloway is not taking the Irish superstar lightly. The former featherweight champion believes his opponent could still be at his best and is preparing for a difficult contest. However, Holloway is confident that he will reverse the result from their first fight and leave the cage with a statement victory.

Max Holloway refuses to underestimate Conor McGregor before UFC 329 showdown

Max Holloway told TMZ that fans should not expect an easy fight simply because Conor McGregor has not competed in more than five years. Speaking ahead of UFC 329, Holloway said he is preparing for a dangerous version of the former UFC champion.The two fighters first shared the Octagon in 2013 when both were still rising stars in the sport.

McGregor won that contest by unanimous decision, but Holloway has since become one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history.

Over the years, many fans hoped the rematch would happen, although few expected it to come after such a long layoff for McGregor.Holloway admitted he thought their second meeting would have happened much earlier in their careers. Even so, he is happy that the fight has finally been booked. While he respects everything McGregor has achieved, Holloway made it clear that once the cage door closes, friendship and respect will be put aside.

His only goal is to defeat the Irishman and make up for the loss he suffered more than a decade ago.

The Hawaiian star also rejected the idea that McGregor’s absence automatically makes him vulnerable. According to Holloway, a long break can sometimes allow fighters to recover physically and mentally. He believes McGregor could return refreshed and highly motivated, which is why he is preparing for the toughest version of his opponent instead of expecting ring rust to play a role.Even with that respect, Holloway remains confident about the outcome. He said he has trained with the belief that he will finish the fight in convincing fashion. His focus is on delivering a memorable performance and proving that he is still among the best fighters in the UFC.The financial rewards are another major attraction of facing one of the sport’s biggest stars. Holloway acknowledged that a fight against McGregor brings a significant payday because of the massive attention surrounding the event. However, he said money is not his only motivation. He also wants to earn a post-fight bonus by producing an exciting contest that gives fans plenty of action.Looking beyond UFC 329, Holloway said he already has plans for the next stage of his career. However, he stressed that his full attention remains on Saturday night’s main event.