Muhammad warns Holloway to wrestle McGregor early and survive the UFC 329 opener

Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has urged Max Holloway to prioritise wrestling over striking in the early rounds of his main-event clash with Conor McGregor at UFC 329, set for T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Muhammad argues that the first three to four minutes of the fight represent Holloway’s greatest window of danger against a returning McGregor whose form, speed and power remain untested after a five-year absence from the octagon.

McGregor (22-6) steps back into competition at welterweight — a division above his natural home — against Holloway (27-9), who himself is moving up in weight for the occasion. Muhammad believes the combination of extra muscle mass and the long layoff will accelerate McGregor’s cardio decline, but only after an explosive opening burst that Holloway must survive intact.

“I think that first three or four minutes, McGregor’s gonna come out hot,” Muhammad said on his YouTube channel. “When he was at the top, his cardio was a problem. So now, five years off, extra muscle, higher weight class, I think his cardio’s gonna be even a bigger problem.”

Rather than trading strikes with the former two-division champion early, Muhammad recommends Holloway use clinch work and takedowns as a tactical buffer — not necessarily to win rounds on the mat, but to drain McGregor’s gas tank and neutralise his knockout threat.

“I think probably the person that should initiate grappling should be Holloway,” Muhammad added. “He has definitely added a lot of muscle on his body. His cardio is gonna get drained. So, for Holloway, I would definitely add in a takedown to wear on him. To get past the first three to four minutes.”

Muhammad acknowledged that the bout is likely to be a striking-heavy contest overall, but stressed that surviving the opening exchanges is the prerequisite for Holloway to impose his own game later in the fight. McGregor’s cardio issues were a documented concern even during his peak years, and Muhammad believes the additional weight and time away from competition will compound that weakness significantly at UFC 329.