Conor McGregor is back, and in vintage form already.
On Saturday, McGregor takes on Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329 in Las Vegas. It’s a rematch of their 2013 fight that McGregor won by decision, but more importantly, it’s the first fight for “Notorious” in five years, since snapping his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021.
Ahead of his comeback, fans have wondered what’s fueling McGregor’s return. And while the same generic answers about love of competition have been part of it, on Tuesday
night, McGregor also gave another reason: to remind fans how good he once was.
“I have many things that I’ve taken in this camp that have been fuel to my fire,” McGregor told ESPN. “One— the greatest featherweight of all time. This ranking system of the greatest featherweights, I’ve beaten these men and haven’t been on the list. How have I beaten these men easily and handily and yet be kept from the list?
“All things. Whose the greatest featherweight? What’s my skill level? That’s why I love Max as an opponent; he’s fought so many people. He’s had a very impressive body of work inside the octagon. He’s for sure a future Hall of Famer, and you know, I get to go in and showcase my level against, and I’m excited for it. It’s perfect for me.”
The debate surrounding who the greatest featherweight of all time is has raged for years, with Jose Aldo and Alexander Volkanovski drawing the most support, though Max Holloway was also in the mix for a period of time. But McGregor’s name rarely shows up in those discussions, largely because of his short tenure in the division. McGregor won his first seven UFC bouts at featherweight, including his knockout win over Aldo, but then moved up to lightweight and never returned, not even recording one title defense.
And while McGregor understands that criticism, he doesn’t put much stock in it.
“That’s a fair shout, for sure,” McGregor said. “I understand why. I understand the whys of it, but you cannot get caught in all of this. What is the skill? Who is the best? Who is the greatest? Who is the best? And it is me, and the results show this. It’s not like the fights weren’t there. They were just elsewhere. Divisional changes, which originally was not of my — was not me. It was a fighter pulling out or things of that nature that led to it. So, I understand it; however, I don’t agree with it.
“I am the greatest featherweight since Bruce Lee, and on Saturday night I will show it.”
McGregor will not be fighting at featherweight on Saturday as his bout with Holloway is set for 170 pounds. And ultimately, that is the rub for McGregor’s featherweight case: he kept moving up instead of building a long legacy at 145 pounds. But when asked if he had any regrets over leaving the division to chase a lightweight title and boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr., McGregor had none.
“Who would have been there to fight, really?” McGregor said. “The challenges weren’t there. I could have went — I’d still be going through those guys. No disrespect, but you know.”
TOP STORIES
Apology. Sean Strickland apologizes to Dustin Poirier for denouncing post-arrest comments: ‘I guess not everyone is a POS like me.’
Proof. Matt Brown argues Conor McGregor might be at his best at UFC 329: ‘He’s got to prove motherf*ckers wrong.’
Goals. Paddy Pimblett: ‘Perfect fight’ after UFC 329 would be Conor McGregor at Madison Square Garden.
Strategy. Belal Muhammad suggests surprising strategy for Max Holloway to win Conor McGregor rematch at UFC 329.
VIDEO STEW
UFC 329 media day.
UFC 329, break it down.
But what about
Benoit Saint Denis’ road to UFC 329.
UFC 329 Embedded.
Behind the scenes.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
No Bets Barred.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
The definitive fight week schedule.
The best knockouts of the week.
Happy birthday!
Grinding.
It is odd.
What is going on?
Random.
Oh, I get it.
GOAT debate.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Serghei Spivac (18-6) vs. Vitor Petrino (14-2); UFC Sacramento, Aug. 22
Kennedy Nzechukwu (14-6-1) vs Shamil Gaziev (14-3); UFC Sacramento, Aug. 22
Carli Judice (6-2) vs Jeisla Chaves (8-0); UFC Sacramento, Aug. 22
Wes Schultz (9-3) vs Jackson McVey (7-2); UFC Sacramento, Aug. 22
Shanelle Dyer (7-1) vs Elise Reed (8-5); UFC Sacramento, Aug. 22
Waldo Cortes-Acosta (17-3) vs. Curtis Blaydes (19-6, 1 NC); Noche UFC 4, Sept. 19
FEED ME MORE
He’s back!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Conor McGregor is at BEST the fifth-greatest featherweight of all time, and even that’s being generous.
Greatness is a measure of accomplishment. He didn’t even defend his belt. He went to do other things. That’s the cost of those things.
But man, Conor back in peak form already!
EXIT POLL
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