Max Holloway praises Conor McGregor for mental health talk

Max Holloway says Conor McGregor's decision to discuss his mental health battles publicly deserves applause, even as the two prepare to fight at UFC 329 on July 11.

McGregor has opened up about his struggles in recent interviews, telling Ariel Helwani that he has spent years working to forgive himself for what he called disgracing the position God put him in. The Irishman compared his current state to walking a tightrope, saying the balance required now is more delicate than when he was at rock bottom. "If you fall when you're in this position, you don't give a f*ck," McGregor said, per MMA Mania. "So I'm in the state now where I'm keeping my balance and making my way to life, and God is helping me with that."

Holloway: McGregor's honesty will help others

Holloway told ESPN he has nothing but respect for McGregor's candor. "It takes a real man to come out and say [his] feelings, period," Holloway said. "Especially in this day and time, right? Like, everybody's like 'A man got to be a man's man. You gotta suck it up.'"

The Hawaiian featherweight believes McGregor's platform will push more people to seek help. "With him, especially with the power he has and him bringing it up, I think it's going to encourage more people to talk about it, more guys to maybe go get a mental check or self-check," he said.

Holloway and McGregor square off July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Original reporting:

• mmamania.com — Holloway has ‘nothing but respect’ for McGregor talking about mental health | MMA Mania