TLDR
- Max Holloway believes Conor McGregor would accept a point-down slugfest if their UFC 329 fight reaches the final seconds
- Holloway is preparing for the best version of McGregor despite his five-year layoff since breaking his leg in 2021
- The prediction depends on how competitive the fight is, with Holloway doubting McGregor would risk it after being dominated
- Holloway says the fight is do-or-die for both fighters, with a title shot on the line for him
- The rematch takes place Saturday at UFC 329, 13 years after McGregor won their first fight by decision
Sources: mmafighting.com | yardbarker.com
Max Holloway believes Conor McGregor would accept his signature point-down challenge if their UFC 329 rematch reaches the final seconds Saturday night. The Hawaiian fighter told MMA Fighting he expects McGregor to risk it all in a last-round slugfest if the fight stays competitive.
“I think he would if we get to that point, and he has the energy to do it,” Holloway said. “His fans are there. People screaming for him. I think he might just push himself to go do it.”
Holloway reserved his prediction with one condition. If McGregor has been dominated across four rounds, Holloway doubts the Irishman would gamble on a standing war with everything on the line.
The point-down move became famous when Holloway used it against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. In those final 10 seconds, Holloway invited Gaethje to stand and trade punches, resulting in one of the most memorable knockouts in combat sports history.
Nah big dog you gonna put some respect on my name. https://t.co/K8PKlb6TnT pic.twitter.com/onKSwhn6xA
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) May 17, 2026
McGregor’s Five-Year Absence
McGregor has not competed since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021. The layoff has raised questions about what version of McGregor will show up Saturday night.
Holloway said he is preparing for a fully healthy opponent regardless of the time away. “Five years, you get to reset, you get to take care of your body, you get to not do weight cuts, and you just got to let your body recover for a little bit,” he explained.
The former featherweight champion acknowledged that many people have questioned McGregor’s condition based on public appearances. But Holloway said he cannot assume anything about what happened behind closed doors during the layoff.
“Maybe he wanted you to see that. No one knows what happened behind closed doors,” Holloway said. “At the end of the day, I’m getting ready for the best Conor McGregor, and I can’t wait.”
Alexander Volkanovski, who has fought Holloway three times for the featherweight title, told his YouTube audience he favors Holloway by finish. Volkanovski predicted McGregor will land early but that Holloway’s pace will overwhelm him as the rounds pile up.
High Stakes for Both Fighters
Holloway acknowledged the fight carries major consequences for both men’s careers. A dominant win positions him for another lightweight title shot, while a loss sends his career in the opposite direction.
“It’s do-or-die for both of us, I believe,” Holloway said. “There’s a lot riding on this fight.”
The UFC 155-pound champion Justin Gaethje has already commented on the fight’s importance. Holloway said people are discussing potential matchups with Islam Makhachev depending on the outcome.
Coming off a disappointing loss to Charles Oliveira in his last fight, Holloway knows he needs more than just a win. “This sport, as you can see, just getting your hand raised sometimes doesn’t get the job done for you,” he said.
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Holloway said he needs to be exciting and get either a big finish or a dominant performance that leaves people impressed. “Yes, we’re fighters, we need to win, but we’re also entertainers,” he explained.
The rematch will take place 13 years after their first meeting in 2013. McGregor won that fight by unanimous decision, though he tore his ACL in the second round while Holloway was dealing with a severe ankle injury.
Holloway said neither fighter should rely on much from that first encounter. “That was 13 years ago. It’s kind of crazy,” he told MMA Fighting.
The fight headlines UFC 329 in Las Vegas on Saturday night. Weigh-ins are scheduled for Friday afternoon.
