Merab Dvalishvili picks Conor McGregor over Max Holloway at UFC 329

Former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has picked Conor McGregor to beat Max Holloway in their rematch at UFC 329 on July 11.

Dvalishvili shared his predictions for four main card fights in a video posted by UFC on Paramount+ this week, per Sherdog. The Georgian sided with Brandon Royval over Lone'er Kavanagh in a flyweight bout and backed Cory Sandhagen to beat Mario Bautista. He also favored Benoit St. Denis over Paddy Pimblett in the co-main event.

Dvalishvili's reasoning for McGregor pick over Holloway

When asked about the McGregor-Holloway rematch — 13 years after their first meeting — Dvalishvili explained his choice. "I love Conor McGregor so much, and I have so much respect for Max Holloway," he said in the clip. "I want to see Conor McGregor win because he's been away from fighting for a long time and he's done so much for the sport, and he deserves to win this time. Yeah, I am rooting for Conor McGregor a little more."

McGregor stopped Holloway at featherweight in 2013 but has not fought since his injury loss to Dustin Poirier in 2021. Holloway, the former featherweight champion, is coming off a knockout of Justin Gaethje in the BMF title fight last year.

UFC 329 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the McGregor-Holloway main event set for five rounds.

Original reporting:

• sherdog.com — Merab Dvalishvili makes surprising pick for UFC 329's McGregor vs. Holloway 2