Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway Prediction 12 July 2026
👊 The iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is set to host one of the year's most highly anticipated and talked-about events - UFC 329. While there are no official title fights on the card, this event is expected to draw millions of viewers from around the globe. Headlining the night is the long-awaited return of the sport’s biggest box office draw and most controversial superstar - Conor McGregor. After a lengthy layoff, McGregor steps back into the Octagon for a rematch against the legendary Max Holloway. According to the oddsmakers, McGregor enters as the underdog. But can the Irishman pull off another upset in a year that’s already seen its fair share of shocks in the world’s premier MMA promotion?
Key Facts
- This is Conor McGregor’s first fight in five years.
- The first meeting between McGregor and Holloway took place on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26 in Boston, where the Irishman claimed victory by unanimous decision.
- McGregor and Holloway have never previously fought at welterweight. This will mark the 77 kg debut for both fighters.
Head-to-head statistics Conor McGregor - Max Holloway
Conor McGregor Player Overview
💣 At 37, Conor McGregor remains the sport’s biggest box-office draw and one of the most talked-about figures in the world of mixed martial arts. The former two-division UFC champion once sparked a revolution in the sport, shattering every commercial record the promotion had set. McGregor’s résumé features iconic wins over legends like Jose Aldo, Dustin Poirier, and Eddie Alvarez. However, after claiming his second belt, the Irishman’s career took a downturn amid lengthy layoffs, business ventures, and a string of controversies. Since 2019, McGregor has not fought for a title and has struggled to recapture his previous consistency inside the Octagon. In the summer of 2021, during his trilogy bout with Poirier, Conor suffered a devastating leg break in the first round-a setback that sidelined him for years. Now, as “The Notorious” prepares to step back into the cage, this fight stands as a true moment of reckoning: it will reveal whether McGregor can still compete at the elite level after a five-year layoff.
Match Results: Conor McGregor
Max Holloway Player Overview
🔥 The 34-year-old American Max Holloway, known as “Blessed,” has been competing at the highest level under the UFC banner for over 14 years. His relentless work rate and iron chin helped the Hawaiian capture the featherweight title and successfully defend it several times. Alexander Volkanovski brought an end to Holloway’s reign in the division back in 2019. Since losing his belt, Holloway has made several attempts to reclaim championship gold, but those efforts have fallen short. Ultimately, he moved up to lightweight, where he was defeated by Charles Oliveira in a BMF title fight this March. In terms of fighting style, Holloway hasn’t changed a bit. His phenomenal cardio, high-volume striking, and ability to push the pace deep into the championship rounds remain his trademarks.
Match Results: Max Holloway
Latest news
Conor McGregor
💬 Conor McGregor on his upcoming fight: “There’s still so much left for me to conquer in this sport, more achievements, more belts, more knockouts, more records, and more money. I’m taking it all. The fight game belongs to McGregor. Right now, I’m at the peak of my powers and I’m ready to prove it. I firmly believe that talent doesn’t exist. If you put in the hours, you’ll reach your goal. I’m not talented-I’m obsessed. I have far more experience, but beyond that, I’m more skilled in every aspect of combat sports. You don’t want to be locked in the Octagon with me because I’m dangerous everywhere and I can knock you out from any position. That’s exactly what I plan to do against Holloway.”
Max Holloway
💬 Max Holloway on the upcoming fight: "It's just crazy. So many fans and people in general are already writing Conor off, and that's just ridiculous. People did the same with Justin Gaethje, but this is a completely different scenario. Conor has unlimited resources, a massive network, he's coming back from a serious injury, reportedly found faith, and his kids will be there to watch him fight. So this won’t be an easy bout at all."
⭐ Editor's Pick
While Max insists it’s too soon to write Conor off, we believe the American shouldn’t face much trouble in this matchup. As McGregor spent time recovering from a horrific injury and enjoying life on yachts, “Blessed” has consistently stepped into the Octagon, taking on elite opponents. Admittedly, the opening five minutes could be dangerous for Max. However, Holloway’s exceptional sense of distance should allow him to weather McGregor’s early aggression without much issue. From there, Max’s footwork will come into play as he starts to overwhelm Conor with relentless multi-strike combinations. Given McGregor’s age and visible wear and tear, we expect him to fade quickly under Holloway’s pressure. Our pick: Holloway to win.