McGregor reveals abstinence vow as he prepares for UFC 329 return against Holloway

Conor McGregor has revealed he has practiced complete abstinence from physical touch throughout his training camp for UFC 329, describing the experience as intense and unlike any preparation he has undertaken before his July 11 main event against Max Holloway at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“The fire is in my belly roaring and it’s about to be released on Saturday night,” McGregor said at UFC 329 media day. “I have practiced abstaining also in this camp. It’s the first time I’ve ever done it. From any type of physical touch, if you will. And that’s been intense. I’m excited to see what it brings on Saturday night.”

The disclosure adds another layer of intrigue to one of the most anticipated MMA comebacks in recent memory. McGregor (22-6) has not competed since July 2021, when he broke his leg in a trilogy loss to Dustin Poirier. The welterweight matchup against Holloway (27-9) will be his first appearance inside the Octagon in nearly four years.

The practice of sexual abstinence before competition has a long history in sport, though modern research suggests the benefit is largely psychological rather than physiological. For McGregor, who has spoken openly about channelling aggression as a competitive tool, the mental dimension appears to be the point.

Holloway arrives at the bout in mixed form. The former featherweight champion has gone 1-2 in his last three outings, most recently suffering a one-sided defeat to Charles Oliveira. McGregor, meanwhile, has not recorded a victory since a 40-second stoppage of Donald Cerrone in January 2020.

With both men carrying question marks into fight night, the UFC 329 main event carries genuine stakes beyond the spectacle of McGregor’s return.