With a series of barbs and provocations straight out of the “Notorious” playbook, the relatively cordial ramp-up to the UFC 329 non-title rematch between Max Holloway and Conor McGregor swerved into spicier territory on Thursday.
The brash McGregor (22-6), who has not fought in five years, fielded most of the questions while alternatingly sitting, standing and gesticulating on the dais in the pre-fight press conference at T-Mobile Arena. McGregor proclaimed that “Mac is back” and spewed vitriol at the Waianae native Holloway (27-9), whom he defeated by unanimous decision back in 2013.
“I’m going to destroy Max. I’m going to eliminate Max,” McGregor said. “My final opponent … still in the UFC ranks. All of my other opponents are gone. And on Saturday night, he gets eliminated for good.”
Holloway, like McGregor, a former UFC featherweight champion, met the bluster with a series of smiles and shrugs, and kept his comments well short of those from his verbose opponent.
“I can’t wait,” Holloway said. “It’s going to be a long night for Conor McGregor come Saturday night, man. We’re taking him to deep, deep waters, man.”
When it came time for the face-off, Holloway donned a green bulletproof vest and sunglasses. McGregor ran up, ripped off Holloway’s shades and thrust his forehead into Holloway’s.
UFC president Dana White pushed the Irishman back and picked up Holloway’s shades as security intervened. Holloway stepped through them and offered McGregor a handshake. McGregor came back, slapped it away, and the two squared up momentarily before being separated again.
A few minutes earlier, McGregor said he took exception at Holloway’s prediction that the two would have a trilogy bout in December.
“I forecast Holloway’s retirement on Saturday night,” he said. “Not a trilogy for cash.”
Holloway acknowledged Wednesday that this fight was “for sure” the best payday of his career. White said Thursday that UFC 329, to be streamed on Paramount Plus, has the biggest gate in the promotion’s history.
Despite Las Vegas’ status as the “Ninth Island,” the crowd was decidedly in favor of McGregor. He carried twin custom UFC belts in the colors of the Ireland flag and placed them on either side of his seat at the table.
Holloway was asked about representing his Polynesian ancestry on the big stage.
“Feels great, it feels great,” Holloway said. “I can hear all you guys in here.”
McGregor interrupted, shouting, “You’re welcome! With love from the Emerald Isle of Ireland!” Moments earlier, he’d accused Holloway of stealing his tradition of wearing his nation’s flag as he walks out.
Holloway smiled, outwardly unbothered, and said, “Hey, thank you, Conor McGregor. Thank you, brother.”
McGregor, 37, broke his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021 and has not fought since. His would-be June 2024 fight against Michael Chandler was canceled. He has been a controversial figure since with legal troubles, and has become equally known for capitalizing on his fame to promote products. This week, he has hawked his “Mac”-branded energy drinks at media events.
Holloway said this week he had no worries that this fight would meet a similar fate as Chandler’s. He talked up his camp preparation, saying he was at ease with the increased weight (above 170) in all areas — cardio, strength and mobility.
Max Holloway spoke during a news conference Wednesday for his UFC 329 headliner against Conor McGregor on Saturday in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Asked what version of McGregor he expected to see after such a long layoff, the fighter known as “Blessed” pointed out that his opponent has found religion, has his “beautiful” family present and has kept love of the sport despite his immense wealth.
“I can’t wait. I think we see the best Conor McGregor come Saturday night and I look forward to it,” Holloway said. The former BMF Belt-holder said that he welcomed the opportunity to take McGregor’s custom belts and asked White if he could get a “Blessed” belt of his own.
McGregor was fully in his element Thursday. He proclaimed that it would be “the comeback of all comebacks in sports history” to inspire the masses. At one point he stood and led the crowd in a rendition of the Oasis song “Wonderwall.”
Holloway, the most prolific striker in UFC history, hinted that he will attempt to outlast McGregor in a protracted battle in the five-round bout.
McGregor, meanwhile, proclaimed himself at the peak of his game — despite not winning a fight since Donald Cerrone in January 2020 — and slighted Holloway’s boxing ability, calling it “abysmal.”
“He has one gear, and it’s not impressive,” McGregor said. “Very rarely have we seen magic inside the octagon from Max Holloway. Little evil Holloway.”
Holloway grinned widely at the remark. He offered a counterpoint that by McGregor’s past logic that knockouts are the only way to truly win a fight, the two stand as 0-0 heading into Saturday.
Holloway, 34, avenged his only other UFC loss to a left-hander, Dustin Poirier, at UFC 318. He has a chance to right the other defeat to a southpaw in McGregor.
“Every single fight we approach differently,” Holloway said Wednesday. “We saw certain things that work with certain people. That’s what we do. I got some of the best minds in the game.”
He brought in former welterweight champ Jack Della Maddalena for two weeks of camp. McGregor said Thursday that would not cut it, calling it “Mickey Mouse” training.
McGregor said were the match to extend to the final 10 seconds, he would “handily and happily” accept a trademark Holloway “point-down” in the middle of the arena to slug it out to the finish.
Weigh-ins are set for Friday.
Oahu native Kai Kamaka III (18-7-1), who is back in the UFC stable after a run with Bellator MMA and the Professional Fighters League, is set to take on England’s undefeated up-and-comer Luke Riley (13-0) in a featherweight bout on the UFC 329 preliminary card, which begins at 3 p.m. Hawaii time.
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.