Dillon Danis, a former training partner of Conor McGregor, predicts the Irishman will secure a knockout victory over Max Holloway in their upcoming welterweight main event at UFC 329. The highly anticipated rematch is scheduled for July 11, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as part of the UFC’s annual International Fight Week.
Danis, who worked closely with McGregor leading up to the 2018 clash with Khabib Nurmagomedov, claims the former champion is exhibiting a “different kind of dedication” ahead of his return.
The bout marks Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon after a five-year hiatus. While some analysts question the impact of such a long layoff, Dillon Danis dismissed the notion of ring rust entirely.
“I don’t believe in ring rust,” Danis told MMA Fighting, arguing that it is a “mindset” that McGregor is uniquely equipped to overcome. He noted that McGregor has been “living in the gym” and bringing in high-level training partners to prepare for the clash in Paradise, Nevada.
This encounter is 13 years in the making, serving as a rematch of their first meeting over a decade ago. For Max Holloway, this fight represents a major career shift as he makes his official debut in the 170-pound welterweight division.
The move puts him in the crosshairs of a larger version of “The Notorious,” a factor that could influence the technical dynamics of the main event. This mirrors how Rousey vs Carano shaped the modern UFC era, proving that veteran legacy fights remain the backbone of the promotion’s commercial success.
Dillon Danis predicts a quick finish and title shot
Dillon Danis is not expecting the judges to be involved in the final result. He predicts that Conor McGregor will knock out Max Holloway within three rounds, potentially as early as the second frame. “I think he’s gonna knock out Max and then it’s gonna be him and Islam,” Danis stated.
He believes McGregor will “clean his jaw,” suggesting the Irishman’s power at welterweight will be too much for the former featherweight king to mitigate.
This bold trajectory aligns with recent speculation that Makhachev targets two-division glory in the coming months. If McGregor manages to dispatch Holloway as spectacularly as his training partner suggests, a collision with the lightweight champion would likely be the frontrunner for the biggest gate in UFC history.
UFC CEO Dana White has already expressed excitement about a “fully healthy McGregor,” describing him as a “powerhouse” for the sport.
However, the prediction of a dominant McGregor win is not universal. Current featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria offered a more critical view of the matchup. While he backed McGregor to win the rematch, Topuria described the booking as a “sh***y fight” while acknowledging its star power.
He expects a pure striking match where no wrestling occurs, famously suggesting the two will look like “two kittens touching each other” in the stand-up exchanges.
Veterans split on McGregor power versus Holloway volume
Weight remains the central theme of the UFC 329 discussion. Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker suggested that the 170-pound limit might be McGregor’s ideal home. Whittaker noted that a “huge, muscly” version of McGregor is a nightmare for most opponents.
He questioned how Holloway’s speed and volume-heavy style will translate to a heavier weight class, noting that McGregor has been “moving around at 170 for a while now.”
Former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski also warned against counting the Irishman out. He expects McGregor to be explosive and accurate early in the fight but raised concerns about the “championship rounds.”
Volkanovski believes that if Holloway can survive the initial onslaught, McGregor’s demanding training camp could cause him to tire, making him “easy game” later in the five-round contest. It is a debate similar to when Israel Adesanya faces Joe Pyfer, where veteran power is tested against consistent pressure.
Dustin Poirier, who has faced both men, echoed the sentiment regarding raw strength. Poirier noted that even with long layoffs and past injuries, McGregor’s natural power remains a constant threat. While he acknowledged that timing and rhythm might be affected by the five-year absence, he insisted the power “is going to be there.”
This one-shot knockout ability is exactly what Dillon Danis relies on for his bold prediction.
UFC 329 logistics and broadcast information
UFC 329 is expected to be a commercially massive event for the promotion. Dana White predicted the show could break the gate record currently held by The Sphere. Fans interested in attending can find tickets via Ticketmaster or explore VIP experiences through UFCVIP.com. These premium packages include all-inclusive hospitality and meet-and-greets within the T-Mobile Arena.
For those watching from home on July 11, various viewing options are available. The broadcast schedule includes:
- Early Prelims: 2:00 PM PDT / 5:00 PM ET on Paramount+ and UFC Fight Pass.
- Prelims: 4:00 PM PDT / 7:00 PM ET on Paramount+.
- Main Card: 6:00 PM PDT / 9:00 PM ET on Paramount+.
Fans in Miami can also catch the full card at Grails in Wynwood, which requires a $50 food and drink minimum per person. As International Fight Week approaches, the MMA world remains fixated on whether McGregor can validate the confidence of partners like Dillon Danis or if Holloway’s debut at welterweight will prove too steep a climb for the returning star.
