Max Holloway expressed his eagerness to engage in a war of words with Conor McGregor during a recent YouTube address, ahead of their highly anticipated rematch at UFC 329 on July 11, 2026.
The 34-year-old former featherweight champion, currently holding a professional record of 27-9, will make his welterweight debut against the returning Irish superstar in the main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Max Holloway made it clear that while he respects his opponent’s legacy, he is prepared to unleash his own brand of trash-talk if the pre-fight banter intensifies.
The bout marks the first time these two athletes have faced off since 2013, when Conor McGregor secured a unanimous decision victory at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen.
Much has changed since then, with both men reaching the pinnacle of the sport as champions, but Conor McGregor has been sidelined for five years following a severe leg injury sustained at UFC 264 in July 2021.
Despite the long layoff, Max Holloway insists he is preparing for the most dangerous version of “The Notorious,” who currently holds a 22-6 record and has already begun social media barbs by tweeting, “I’m gonna son you, child. Again.”
The timing of this contest is pivotal as the UFC closes out International Fight Week. Just as some Makhachev targets two-division glory with his own championship ambitions, this non-title clash carries massive weight for the welterweight rankings.
Max Holloway, known for his relentless pace, holds the UFC record for most significant strikes with 3,655. He believes his “WaiÊ»anae boy” persona will surprise fans who are used to his usually respectful demeanor if the verbal sparring begins in earnest.
Max Holloway welcomes the return of the McGregor gift of gab
Max Holloway noted that the psychological element of a Conor McGregor fight is part of the allure. “Conor McGregor is Conor McGregor,” the Hawaiian veteran said on June 5. “I think he’ll be respectful to a certain point, but dude got the gift of gab.
So if he start talking, you might actually see a little bit of WaiÊ»anae boy come out of me for this one.” Max Holloway emphasized that while he rarely engages in vitriol, he “loves s***-talking too” and is more than willing to “tussle” before they step into the Octagon.
For Max Holloway, this fight is a chance to avenge one of the few losses of his early career. He acknowledged the impact Conor McGregor had on the industry but warned that the five-year absence is a significant hurdle.
He dismissed rumors regarding the Irishman’s lack of focus, stating that the training footage suggests the former two-division champion is taking the July 11 date seriously. While other fighters such as Israel Adesanya face Joe Pyfer in other headlining slots, the draw of McGregor remains the sport’s biggest story.
The trash-talk is expected to reach a fever pitch during the pre-fight press conferences in Las Vegas. Historically, Conor McGregor has used these platforms to dismantle opponents mentally. Max Holloway seems uniquely positioned to weather that storm, having shared the cage with every major name of the last decade.
This mental fortitude is a trait shared by many modern greats who understand the balance between the spectacle and the sport. Max Holloway intends to leave it with a bang, aiming for a “big finish” in front of the International Fight Week crowd.
UFC 329 confirmed fight card and broadcast details
The event is scheduled to be the centerpiece of International Fight Week, with a heavy-hitting lineup already solidified. Fans can expect a full night of action starting with the early preliminaries at 2:00 PM PDT, leading up to the main card at 6:00 PM PDT, broadcast live on Paramount+ PPV.
Max Holloway has predicted a decisive ending rather than a 25-minute tactical battle, aiming to close the show with a statement at the T-Mobile Arena.
Beyond the main event, the UFC 329 roster features several confirmed and high-stakes matchups as of May 29, 2026:
- Main Event (Welterweight): Conor McGregor (22-6) vs. Max Holloway (27-9)
- Co-Main Event (Lightweight): Benoit Saint-Denis (17-3, 1 NC) vs. Paddy Pimblett (23-4)
- Bantamweight: Cory Sandhagen (18-6) vs. Mario Bautista (17-3)
- Flyweight: Brandon Royval (17-9) vs. Lone’er Kavanagh (10-1)
- Heavyweight (Main Card Opener): Gable Steveson (3-0) vs. Elisha Ellison (5-2)
- Light Heavyweight (Prelims Headliner): Robert Whittaker (27-9) vs. Nikita Krylov (31-11) (Whittaker’s light heavyweight debut)
- Bantamweight: Cody Garbrandt (15-7) vs. Adrian Yanez (17-6-1)
- Flyweight: Tracy Cortez (12-3) vs. Wang Cong (9-1)
- Middleweight: Damian Pinas (9-1) vs. Cesar Almeida (7-2)
- Featherweight: Luke Riley (13-0) vs. Kai Kamaka III (15-7-1)
- Middleweight: Ryan Gandra (9-1) vs. Zachary Reese (10-3, 1 NC)
- Flyweight: Ode Osbourne (13-9, 1 NC) vs. Cody Durden (18-10-1)
The inclusion of Robert Whittaker making his light heavyweight debut and the promotional debut of Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson adds further prestige to the card. Max Holloway noted that the energy of the crowd in Las Vegas will be a major factor.
He expressed excitement about competing at a weight class where both he and Conor McGregor can arrive “healthy” without the grueling weight cuts associated with previous weight divisions.
Strategic implications of the International Fight Week headliner
Betting markets currently reflect the different paths these two fighters have taken over the last half-decade. As of late May 2026, Max Holloway sits as a -400 favorite, while Conor McGregor enters as a +330 underdog. This is a stark contrast to their first meeting, and it highlights the activity level of the Hawaiian.
While Conor McGregor has gone 1-3 since late 2018, Max Holloway has remained a constant presence at the top of the sport, recording five wins in his last eight outings.
This fight represents a collision of eras. If Max Holloway can defeat the biggest star in the history of the promotion, his stock at welterweight will skyrocket. For Conor McGregor, a win proves he can still compete with elite, active competition after his devastating leg break.
Max Holloway’s willingness to engage in the “sh*t-talking” aspect of the promotion shows he understands the magnitude of the moment. He isn’t just showing up to fight; he is showing up to participate in the biggest spectacle of the year.
The outcome on July 11 will likely dictate the career trajectories for both men. A victory for Max Holloway could set him up for substantial opportunities at 170 pounds, whereas a Conor McGregor win would likely lead to another massive “super-fight” scenario.
Whatever the result, the verbal exchanges leading up to the first bell will undoubtedly be as memorable as the action itself. Max Holloway’s message is clear: he is ready for the psychological warfare and intends to leave Las Vegas with a bang.
