Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway finds himself in an unusual position – training intensively for a bout that may never materialize.
“I mean, it’s just, it sucks,” Holloway told Paramount+ during a recent interview. “I would just like to get one back.”
The Hawaiian fighter is currently in training camp preparing for a possible July showdown with two-division champion Conor McGregor at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, despite the absence of any signed agreement.
The ambiguity stems largely from uncertainty surrounding McGregor’s return to competition. The Irish superstar has been absent from the octagon since July 2021, and speculation about his comeback continues to swirl. While rumors suggested McGregor might appear on a summer card at the White House, his rumored opponent Michael Chandler will instead face Mauricio Ruffy.
Despite the contractual limbo, Holloway remains determined to secure another opportunity against McGregor. Their initial encounter took place in 2013, resulting in a unanimous decision victory for McGregor, who suffered a torn ACL during the contest.
“My head space is good, it’s straight,” Holloway explained. “I kinda know when I fight. We kinda know where we want to fight, why we want to fight, so just getting in the gym, getting there, getting it done.”
“It’s a huge fight. Anything with Conor McGregor is huge, but having history with the dude, being able to get one back would be cool.”
The 34-year-old Honolulu native is motivated to bounce back from his most recent outing – a lopsided unanimous decision loss to Charles Oliveira on March 7 that stripped him of the symbolic BMF title, awarded to the UFC’s “baddest” fighter.
“You’re only as good as your last fight, they say, and we’re going to get everybody forgetting about that last fight as soon as possible,” Holloway stated.
For McGregor, who became the first UFC athlete to simultaneously hold championships in two weight divisions (featherweight and lightweight), this would represent his return following a severe broken tibia and subsequent drug suspension that have kept “Notorious” sidelined for nearly five years.
Given McGregor’s extended absence, oddsmakers would likely favor the 34-year-old Holloway over the 37-year-old former champion.
“I mean, we have history,” Holloway reflected. “We fought a very long time ago. I told you guys, if somebody’s got one over me, I want to get him back. I’d love to get him back.”
