Max Holloway has addressed the growing speculation about being linked to a rematch with Conor McGregor at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas, admitting that he has been appealed by the fight for personal reasons, while confirming that he has yet to receive a formal offer from the UFC.
McGregor plans to return to action for the first time in five years after suffering a broken foot in his trilogy against Dustin Poirier in 2021, with UFC 329 emerging as the most likely destination during International Fight Week. Holloway, who lost to McGregor in 2013, has been widely discussed as a potential opponent for that comeback, and he explained in an interview with Paramount that the idea of settling unfinished business is attractive.
“I mean, we have the history,” Holloway said. "We fought a long time ago. I told you guys, if someone attacked me, I'd bring him back. I'd love to bring him back. There's so much talk about him coming back, and everybody's talking about how serious he really is. It seems like he's been training and taking and really wants to come back to fight. It's exciting.
He said, "He looks hungry. He looks extremely hungry. He did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so it was great to see him. I would just like to get one back. It's a huge fight." "Anything with Conor McGregor is huge, but having history with that guy, it would be nice to be able to get someone back. I've got to get my payback on one of the guys. If I can continue to move down the list, that would be great."
Max Holloway vs. Conor McGregor contract has not been proposed yet
Holloway's most recent outing included a lopsided decision loss to Charles Oliveira that cost him the BMF title, and he was honest about his motivation to erase that performance from the conversation as quickly as possible.
He said, "You're only as good as your last fight, and we're going to make everyone forget about that last fight as quickly as we can."
Despite mutual interest, Holloway confirmed that no contract has yet been offered.
"Maybe, we'll see what happens," he said when asked about UFC 329.
