McGregor's coach declares Irishman in best shape ever ahead of UFC 329 return

Conor McGregor’s coach Julian Dalby has declared the 37-year-old Irishman in the finest condition of his career as he prepares to end a five-year UFC absence against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on Saturday, July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“Conor’s in fantastic shape… I’ve never seen him look so good before,” Dalby said in the official UFC 329 Countdown feature. “Combining Conor’s accuracy with the power that he has now, he’s unstoppable.”

The bout will be contested at welterweight — a division McGregor has competed at before — while Holloway steps up from featherweight to make his 170-pound debut. Both McGregor and his camp believe the added weight will amplify his power advantage over “Blessed.”

McGregor himself has been equally bullish in the build-up. “I’m a lot more skilled. You don’t want to be anywhere inside that Octagon with me… I’m dangerous everywhere,” he said. “I can knock you unconscious from everywhere inside that Octagon. There’s a different animal entirely that is in front of Max Holloway here. And he’s going to feel every bit of it.”

The fight marks McGregor’s first Octagon appearance since he suffered a broken leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. His return has been one of the most anticipated in recent MMA history, and the welterweight setting adds an additional layer of intrigue given Holloway’s unfamiliarity with the weight class.