"Max Holloway vs. Conor McGregor 2: Can Notorious Overcome the Odds to Claim Victory?"

Max Holloway and Conor McGregor might have missed the recent UFC event at the White House, but they're gearing up for a highly anticipated rematch 13 years after their original showdown, which McGregor won by unanimous decision. Now, with UFC 329 on the horizon, Holloway returns in what many consider to be better shape than McGregor. This fight promises to deliver more than just a rekindled rivalry since Holloway currently holds the BMF title.

The first thing that catches the eye about this fight is that Holloway and McGregor have faced off before. Thirteen years ago, when they were just beginning their journeys in the UFC, they clashed in the featherweight category. In that encounter, the Irishman managed to outscore Holloway, earning the judges’ nod despite battling through a torn ACL, a feat that made his victory even more remarkable. Since then, McGregor has slowed down his career, making fewer appearances in the UFC. His highly anticipated UFC 303 comeback never happened due to a broken toe, possibly affecting his standing with Dana White. This could explain why he wasn’t invited to the UFC event at the White House earlier this year, despite his claims to the contrary. Meanwhile, Holloway has stacked up several significant victories against notable fighters like Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and The Korean Zombie. But he has also faced setbacks. At UFC 326, Holloway lost to Charles Oliveira by Unanimous Decision after going the full five rounds but failing to win over the judges in March 2026. His previous defeat was against Ilya Topuria in October 2024, where Holloway was KO’d/TKO’d in the third round, caught off guard by a flurry of punches from Topuria. In between those losses, Holloway scored a win in July 2025 against Dustin Poirier by Unanimous Decision, outlasting his compatriot in a gripping match that ended without a submission or KO. Holloway’s fight frequency has naturally tapered over the years, with him now mostly competing once or twice a year. His upcoming bout against McGregor will be his second fight of 2026.

McGregor's recent career has undeniably been more turbulent compared to his past and even current rival. The fighter known as Notorious has been away from the UFC for the last five years, with his most recent bouts against Poirier in January and July 2021 ending in defeats within two rounds, leading to his temporary exit from the promotion. Though McGregor has frequently hinted at a comeback, even attempting to position himself for a fight at the White House, he has stayed out of action until now, raising questions about his current form. While it's reasonable to have some doubts, not everyone is pessimistic. Tom Aspinall, a well-regarded figure in the UFC, has confidently suggested that McGregor might end the fight in the first round with a knockout or technical knockout. Aspinall highlighted McGregor's natural power and his devastating left-hand strike, along with his skill set, which, despite being untested in the octagon for years, hasn't just vanished. This prediction is plausible since left-hand strikes are notoriously hard to counter. McGregor’s 74-inch reach adds to his advantage as it's longer than Holloway's. Yet, this very edge could also turn into a disadvantage for McGregor. Holloway enters the fight fully aware of what McGregor brings, allowing him to prepare accordingly. If he can find his rhythm, he might keep McGregor at a distance and wear him down, especially given that McGregor is three years older than Holloway, which could be a crucial benefit.

Is McGregor vs. Holloway 2 happening? Yes, Conor McGregor and Max Holloway are scheduled to fight again at UFC 329 on Saturday, July 11. Have McGregor and Holloway fought before? Yes, they faced off in 2013, where McGregor won by unanimous decision despite fighting with a torn ACL. Who won in the first fight between Max Holloway and Conor McGregor? Conor McGregor emerged victorious, winning by unanimous decision while contending with a torn ACL.