Pros Predict McGregor vs. Holloway

The fighters have weighed in on UFC 329's main event, and the consensus is clear. Max Holloway is getting the nod — but nobody is writing Conor McGregor off entirely.

Eight UFC fighters were asked to predict the welterweight clash between McGregor and Holloway ahead of Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Seven of them picked Holloway.

Mario Bautista, Kyle Daukaus, Terrance McKinney, Adrian Yanez, Youssef Zalal, Marcus McGhee, and Modestas Bukauskas all landed on Holloway. Khaos Williams — the welterweight on the list, the fighter with the most direct frame of reference for how 170 pounds plays — declined to commit but noted Holloway's activity as the key edge.

McGregor (22-6) has not competed since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. Five years away from competition at the sport's highest level is not something any fighter navigates without cost, regardless of preparation. McGhee put it plainly: "Conor's coming off a huge layoff, which leaves me with some questions about him and how he will do. I will take Max, and I think he can take over in the championship rounds and get a TKO."

Bukauskas acknowledged the uncertainty cuts both ways. "I do think ring rust is real. But I do wonder how Holloway will look at welterweight and deal with Conor's power. However, I do think Holloway can get a decision or a late TKO win."

Holloway (27-9) has spent the majority of his career at featherweight and has dabbled at lightweight. This is his first fight at 170 pounds, and several fighters flagged that as a genuine unknown. Daukaus noted the flip side: "Conor's power will be there, and I do think he could wrestle and try to show off his strength and size. But I do think Max gets it done."

Zalal, who identified himself as a Holloway fan, captured the honest ambivalence around the weight class question. "He's one of my favourite fighters, but I wonder how he will do at welterweight. Conor's still an elite striker. But I do think Max gets it done — I think it will be closer than some think."

Williams, operating from the clearest understanding of what welterweight actually demands, landed on the most nuanced position. "You can't count out McGregor. He's ready to return. However, Holloway has been active, and I think he can take over in the later rounds, even though it is at welterweight."

McKinney pointed to motivation as much as ability. "I think the way his last fight went, he's looking to show people he still has it."