Holloway warns McGregor the 'Waiʻanae boy' will come out if trash-talk starts at UFC 329

Max Holloway has put Conor McGregor on notice that the pre-fight mind games can go both ways ahead of their UFC 329 main event on July 11, a rematch of the pair’s 2013 bout that predates either man’s run as UFC champion.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Holloway said he has no doubts about McGregor’s commitment to the comeback — the Irishman’s first fight since shattering his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021 — and is preparing accordingly. “I’m getting ready for the best Conor McGregor there is,” Holloway said. “I know he’s taking it serious. It looks like he’s taking it very serious, and I’m excited for the challenge.”

McGregor wasted little time poking at Holloway once the bout was announced, and “Blessed” made clear he has no intention of staying quiet if that continues. “Conor McGregor is Conor McGregor,” Holloway said. “I think he’ll be respectful to a certain point, but dude has the gift of gab. So, if he starts talking, you might actually see a little bit of Waiʻanae boy come out of me for this one. Because not many of you guys know, if you guys want to shit-talk, I love shit-talking too, I just don’t do it that much. But if he wants to go that route, I’d love to tussle.”

The fight carries a personal edge beyond the spectacle of McGregor’s long-awaited return. Holloway lost their original meeting more than a decade ago, and the rematch offers him a chance to settle that score against a man he credits with transforming the sport. “He did what he did. He changed the sport in a major way,” Holloway said. “Glad to have him back, but unfortunately, he’s got to see me.”

Holloway also pushed back on speculation that McGregor might not show up in fighting shape, pointing to what he has seen publicly from the Irishman’s camp. “A lot of people talking about Conor maybe not showing up, or even if he is training, but he looks pretty dedicated from everything that he’s posting out, and I think he’s pretty serious. I think he really misses the sport and really wants to get back in there.”

With both men coming in as seasoned strikers at a weight Holloway expects to suit them both, he is confident the fight itself will deliver. “Two strikers, fun fight. Two mixed martial artists. It’s going to be great, at a weight where me and him are both gonna come in healthy,” he said. “I think fans are in for a treat with this fight.”