Holloway Faces McGregor at UFC 329, and He Takes the Blame for His Previous Loss
Max Holloway is just days away from stepping into the octagon for one of the most anticipated fights of the year. The Hawaiian will meet Conor McGregor again at UFC 329, in a rematch that promises to be the highest-grossing fight of 2025. The promotion has bet big: putting “Blessed” on the front line against the Irishman is a clear statement about who generates money and attention in the sport.
The weight of the last result
Holloway arrives carrying the bitter taste of a defeat with little controversy. In his previous bout, for the BMF title, Charles Oliveira dismantled him with a patient, effective wrestling strategy — five rounds on the ground, not much spectacle, but a clear outcome. The crowd was left unsatisfied. “Do Bronx” took heavy criticism for fighting so conservatively with the Bad Motherf–ker belt on the line.
But Holloway did not take the bait. “I’m not the type to complain,” the fighter said. “You can’t be mad at Charles. That’s how the business works. Winning matters, of course. But Holloway understands that the way you win — or lose — is what determines the size of the next opportunity. “In the UFC, it’s not enough to win,” he stated. “You have to win in exciting fashion. We’re in entertainment.”
That is exactly what explains the rematch against McGregor. Holloway did not get into UFC 329 because of his recent run of results. He got in because every time he steps into the cage, he delivers emotion. With more than 30 fights in the octagon and only one rough patch on the immediate radar, his résumé speaks for him. The franchise sees Holloway as a long-term asset — the kind of fighter who fills arenas regardless of the opponent.
Why the UFC keeps calling Holloway
The rematch with the Irishman adds another layer to the context. McGregor was sidelined for a long spell with injury and returns surrounded by expectation — and skepticism. Holloway, for his part, is an elite featherweight who moved up in weight to contest the BMF and now faces the Dubliner in a different format.
What to expect from the reunion with McGregor
The clash between the two styles — the Hawaiian’s technical reading against the Irishman’s precision and knockout power — is the sporting argument of the night. The rest is show. And both men know it very well.
