Five days away from his long-awaited return to the octagon, Conor McGregor promises he’s “in my prime” to rematch Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329, which goes down at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on July 11.
Back to action five years after from his last UFC bout, when he suffered a leg break in a trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier, “The Notorious” told The Mac Life he’s “ecstatic” to fight again after being “gifted this ability to walk, pursuing my craft” after the gruesome injury.
“I feel there’s
so much left for me to conquer in this game,” McGregor said. “So much more accolades. More belts, more knockouts, more records, more cash. I am taking everything of what I have built. The fight game in the combat sports world is McGregor’s world. And I’m in my prime here now. So it is on me now to go and show that. And that’s what I will do.”
“The Mac has a fight, hallelujah,” he continued. “The magnitude of this event is colossal. So it’s not hard to get motivated. And to remain disciplined, dedicated, all that is on the line here. And I am relishing it. Another iconic mixed martial arts belt with yours truly at its helm. Working hard, same thing every day. With no ego, we leave our ego at the door. We’re learning, working our shots, and preparing ourselves for main event slots here at Straight Blast Gym Ireland.”
McGregor met Holloway the first time back in 2013, his second octagon appearance, and won a decision. Both athletes were young and were dealing with injuries going into that bout, and now meet again as experienced former champions.
“Holloway, I’ve faced him before,” McGregor said. “Took many lessons from that beating I gave him onward in his career. And then went on to do great things. And now I love it because he’s fought so many men. And they’ve fought him a certain way, and it’s gone a certain way. So now returns McGregor to show once again the level and the difference. That’s it. It’s a masterpiece on July 11th. A McGregor masterpiece.”
Holloway has been more active in recent years, winning five of eight UFC bouts since McGregor last fought, including title bouts at both featherweight and lightweight. In his most recent appearance, “Blessed” lost the BMF belt in a decision against Charles Oliveira.
For McGregor, however, his hunger will be too much for his upcoming opponents.
“I am of the belief that there is no such thing as talent,” McGregor said. “What I possess, this is not talent. If you put in the time, you will reach your target. And that’s it. I’m not talented, I’m obsessed. I’m a lot more experienced, but as well as that I’m lot more skilled in all of the facets of martial arts. You do not want to be anywhere inside that octagon with me. I am dangerous everywhere. I can knock you unconscious from everywhere inside that octagon. And that is what I plan to do.
“There’s a different animal entirely that is in front of Max Holloway here. And he’s gonna feel every bit of it.”
