TLDR
- Belal Muhammad advises Max Holloway to use wrestling and grappling against Conor McGregor at UFC 329
- Muhammad believes McGregor’s cardio will be a major problem after five years away and added muscle mass
- Holloway should survive the first three to four minutes when McGregor will be most dangerous
- Muhammad predicts Holloway will win by TKO if the fight goes beyond the early rounds
- McGregor’s only path to victory is landing a knockout in the first five minutes, according to Muhammad
Sources: mmafighting.com | mmajunkie.usatoday.com
Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has offered advice for Max Holloway ahead of his rematch with Conor McGregor at UFC 329 this Saturday. The strategy might surprise fans expecting a striking battle.
Muhammad broke down the fight on his YouTube channel, suggesting Holloway should use wrestling and grappling to neutralize McGregor’s strengths. He believes the first few minutes of the fight will be crucial.
Surviving the Early Storm
“I think the person that should initiate the grappling should be Holloway,” Muhammad said. “I think that first three or four minutes, McGregor’s going to come out hot.”
Muhammad pointed to McGregor’s five-year layoff as a major concern for the Irish fighter’s cardio. McGregor has not competed since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021.
“He knows, when he was at the top, his cardio was a problem,” Muhammad explained. “Now five years off, extra muscle, higher weight class, I think his cardio’s going to be even a bigger problem.”
A fan caught Max Holloway at the airport on his way to the Conor McGregor fight
“Knock that n***a Conor out, man.” 💀
(via @UFC) pic.twitter.com/LMDjxF6EUW
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) July 6, 2026
Muhammad advised Holloway to survive the opening minutes by using clinches and takedowns. He also warned Holloway to stay away from McGregor’s dangerous left hand, even if he doesn’t believe it’s still effective.
Holloway lost his most recent fight to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326, where he was controlled on the ground for five rounds. He lost the BMF championship via decision in that bout.
Only two of Holloway’s 27 career victories have come by submission. He typically uses his grappling defensively to keep fights standing rather than taking opponents down.
McGregor won their first meeting in 2013 via decision at featherweight. He used grappling to slow Holloway after injuring his knee during that fight.
McGregor’s Uncertain Return
Muhammad questioned which version of McGregor will show up after such a long absence from competition. He referenced McGregor’s lifestyle during the layoff as a potential factor.
“Long five years, a crazy five years if you’re living the McGregor lifestyle,” Muhammad said. “Coming back from drugs, then coming back from partying, then coming back from probably not doing any sort of training at all the last five years.”
The former champion believes fans won’t know McGregor’s true condition until the cage door closes. “I don’t think we’re going to know until the cage door locks and we see at least three minutes,” he said.
Muhammad advised Holloway to use specific techniques once the fight progresses. He recommended staying long in combinations, using jabs, and targeting McGregor’s previously injured leg with side kicks.
“Get past that first round, get past those first five minutes,” Muhammad said. “Once it gets to the second round, Holloway is the king of cardio.”
Muhammad acknowledged that McGregor does have a path to victory. He believes McGregor must go all-in during the first five minutes and try for a knockout.
Conor McGregor’s Only Hope Against Max Holloway? A First-Round Knockout, Says Former Champion
Holloway was knocked out by Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, proving his chin is not invincible. Muhammad sees this as an opening for McGregor if he can land his power shots early.
Despite seeing a path for McGregor, Muhammad is picking Holloway to win. “I’m picking Holloway and going with finish,” he said. “I think he’s going to hurt him to the body, catch him up top, and I’m going to go with TKO.”
The fight takes place Saturday at UFC 329. It will be contested at welterweight, which is Holloway’s first time competing at 170 pounds.
