LAS VEGAS — Max Holloway may be coming off a loss, but he’s already targeting one of the biggest fights possible for his next move. Following his defeat to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326, Holloway has his sights set on a rematch with Conor McGregor a fight that dates back more than a decade and could now resurface at the perfect time.
Max Holloway hasn’t forgotten his first meeting with Conor McGregor back in 2013, when McGregor earned a unanimous decision victory early in both fighters’ careers. Now, Holloway wants it back. “Conor’s got one over me,” Holloway said. “I’m coming off a loss… it looks pretty fun to get that one back with him.” With McGregor teasing a return to the Octagon, Holloway sees a clear opportunity to revisit that unfinished chapter.
The timing couldn’t line up better. McGregor has hinted at a comeback fight at UFC 330 on July 11 in Las Vegas during International Fight Week one of the UFC’s biggest annual stages.
That puts Holloway in position as a logical opponent:
He’s a proven star
He’s coming off a high-profile fight
And he brings a built-in storyline
For Holloway, it’s simple: if the opportunity is there, he wants in.
Weight Isn’t a Problem
One potential obstacle weight class doesn’t appear to be an issue. McGregor has recently competed at welterweight (170 pounds), while Holloway has spent most of his career at featherweight and lightweight. But Holloway is willing to meet McGregor wherever necessary.
“If he doesn’t want to cut weight, then I don’t want to cut weight,” Holloway said. “We can do it at any weight.” That flexibility could make negotiations much easier if the UFC decides to move forward. For Holloway, the fight represents more than just revenge.
It’s a chance to:
Re-enter the spotlight in a major way
Headline a marquee card
And erase a loss that dates back to the beginning of his career
At the same time, it comes with risks including moving up in weight and facing a physically larger opponent.