UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria isn’t expecting cage rust to impact Conor McGregor in his return at UFC 329 this summer.
UFC superstar Conor McGregor will attempt one of the most highly anticipated comebacks in Mixed Martial Arts history this summer at UFC 329. McGregor will face former BMF titleholder Max Holloway in the UFC 329 main event to conclude the promotion’s annual International Fight Week event in Las Vegas.
Despite the fanfare with McGregor’s return to the Octagon, not many are predicting he’ll come out victorious against Holloway in their rematch. Holloway is a significant favorite weeks out from UFC 329, which will take place 13 years since their first showdown at 145 lbs in August 2013.
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who knocked out Holloway and has had a longtime feud with McGregor, believes McGregor will turn back the clock against Holloway.
Ilia Topuria picks Conor McGregor to beat Max Holloway in return from a 5-year absence
In a recent interview with ESPN Deportes, Topuria was asked for his prediction for McGregor vs. Holloway 2, which might surprise you.
“Let’s see, the fight is s***. Conor is good for the sport in my opinion, because many people want to see him fighting and I recognize that he’s one of the biggest stars in the UFC, I won’t lie to you,” Topuria said of McGregor vs. Holloway.
“It’s going to be a standing fight, purely striking, where we will not see anything wrestling or grappling. And don’t you think Conor is much worse than Max? They are going to hit each other like two kittens. They will be there touching each other, marauding, but I think Conor is going to win as they fought once, and he got it.
“This time, he must beat him, I believe that,” Topuria continued. “The one that suits me best to win, is Conor, because if he wins and then he has one more fight,we could end up having that fight.”
McGregor hasn’t won since knocking out Donald Cerrone at UFC 246. He lost back-to-back fights to Dustin Poirier in 2021 before beginning a five-year absence from competition.
Topuria could potentially face the McGregor vs. Holloway winner, depending on the result of the UFC 329 main event. In either case, expect Topuria to have a keen interest in what transpires in the cage.
What is your prediction for Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2? Let us know in the comments!