Max Holloway would rather have a competitive clash with Conor McGregor than a one-sided victory.
Holloway will get his chance at revenge when he meets the former two-division UFC champion on Saturday. “Blessed” fell short against McGregor all the way back in 2013, and the two will collide again in the UFC 329 headliner. Holloway is the betting favorite going into his welterweight debut, but some feel McGregor’s punching power and experience at 170 pounds must be taken into account.
Speaking to reporters during UFC 329 media day, Holloway initially said his goal was to give McGregor a beatdown. He has changed his mind in hopes of securing a trilogy fight (via MMAFighting).
“I’m going in there and put paws on him,” Holloway said. “I’m going to make him wish that he didn’t come back—actually no, I’m not going to make him wish that. I’m going to make him think that he can do it one more time so we can rematch at the end of the year.”
Holloway understands the magnitude of sharing the Octagon with McGregor, as well as how rare a moment like this is in MMA. His main focus is to finally have a win over his old rival.
“It’s huge,” Holloway said. “Who would have thought Conor was even coming back after what happened with the injury and with him and his other injury at a fight that he had, so it’s just big. I finally get to right a wrong and I’m looking forward to it.”
It would do Holloway wonders if he can have a stellar showing given that his last outing ended with a whimper. “Blessed” was defeated by Charles Oliveira in a BMF Championship fight that saw him get outgrappled for five rounds. If Holloway can get back on track against McGregor, it would help alleviate the sting of that disappointing outing.
How competitive do you expect Conor McGregor to be against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on Saturday? Leave a comment below.