Key Takeaways
- Max Holloway is actively training for a potential rematch with Conor McGregor and hopes it could headline UFC International Fight Week (rumored UFC 329 on July 11).
- While a McGregor rematch is his top priority, Holloway also wants to avenge his losses to Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria.
- McGregor’s recent three‑round boxing exhibition shows he is staying active, though he has not yet returned to MMA competition.
- Holloway’s loss to Oliveira at UFC 326 sparked debate; he refuses to make excuses and stresses that his value is tied to his most recent performance.
- Despite setbacks, Holloway points to his historic achievements—double KO of Jose Aldo, buzzer‑beater win over Justin Gaethje, and a growing record for significant strikes landed.
- He views MMA as a sport where fighters only get a few chances per year to reset perceptions, likening it to NBA players having a quick follow‑up game after an off night.
- Outside the Octagon, Holloway’s childhood dream came true as he appears on the cover of EA Sports UFC 6 Ultimate Edition, a milestone he cherishes from his early days of mimicking game combos in real fights.
Max Holloway is laser‑focused on settling old scores, and the name at the top of his list is Conor McGregor. The former featherweight champion has been training intensely, motivated by the desire to “get one back” against the sport’s biggest draw. Holloway’s comments reveal a genuine excitement about the possibility of a McGregor return, especially after seeing the Irish star step into the ring for a three‑round boxing exhibition against amateur Barry Nolan in early April. Although that bout was merely an exhibition, it marked McGregor’s most visible activity since his loss to Dustin Poirier five years ago, and Holloway interprets it as a sign that McGregor is “super hungry” and serious about coming back to MMA.
Holloway’s pursuit of a McGregor rematch is not happening in a vacuum. He confirmed that he is preparing for the fight and even has a preferred date in mind, though nothing has been signed yet. Rumors swirl that the bout could headline UFC 329 in Las Vegas on July 11, a date that would place the fight squarely within UFC International Fight Week. Holloway acknowledges the speculation, noting that while he hasn’t heard anything official, the timing “wouldn’t be a bad time.” He also echoes the common mantra that a fighter’s worth is measured by their latest performance, insisting that he needs a new win to shift the narrative away from his most recent setback.
That setback came at UFC 326, where Holloway entered as the betting favorite to defend his BMF title against Charles Oliveira, a fighter he had defeated eleven years earlier. Many expected a knockout finish, but Oliveira turned the fight into a grappling clinic, controlling Holloway for nearly twenty‑one of the twenty‑five minutes and earning a unanimous decision victory. The outcome sparked a lively debate: some critics faulted Oliveira for not engaging in the high‑octane, action‑packed style expected of a BMF bout, while others mocked Holloway for his inability to get off the mat. Holloway, however, refuses to make excuses for either fighter. He acknowledges Oliveira’s performance as “his night” and points out that he dislikes when his own strong showings are overshadowed by criticism of his opponents. He draws a parallel to his earlier win over Cub Swanson, where observers attributed Swanson’s performance to an “off night,” a narrative that irritated him then and reinforces his belief that athletes should be judged on their own efforts, not on perceived shortcomings of others.
The loss to Oliveira only intensified Holloway’s drive to reclaim his stature. He reminds fans of his résumé—two knockout victories over Jose Aldo, a buzzer‑beater finish against Justin Gaethje, and a continually climbing record for total significant strikes landed that may never be surpassed. Holloway argues that mixed martial arts offers only a handful of chances each year to reset public perception, unlike sports such as basketball where a player can quickly follow an off night with another game. “If Lebron James or Steph Curry have an off night on a Wednesday, they have a game on Friday to make everybody forget,” he said, expressing hope that another fight will allow him to “right my wrongs.”
Beyond the Octagon, Holloway’s career reached a personal milestone when he was selected as the cover athlete for EA Sports UFC 6 Ultimate Edition. Reflecting on the honor, he recalled using the game’s move sets in real fights during the early days of his career. Being on the cover now feels surreal—a fulfillment of a childhood dream that underscores his deep connection to the sport and its culture. As he continues to train, chase redemption, and inspire fans through both combat and gaming, Holloway remains a prominent figure eager to add the next chapter to his storied legacy.