UFC 329 fighters mostly see the same danger window for Conor McGregor
The closer UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2 gets, the more the same theme keeps coming up from fighters: Conor McGregor is dangerous early, but Max Holloway becomes the safer pick the longer the fight lasts.
That is the central question around Holloway vs. McGregor. McGregor has the timing, the left hand and the aura to make the opening rounds uncomfortable for anyone. Holloway has the activity, cardio, recent competition and five-round experience that usually turn fights in his favor once the first storm passes.
McGregor’s fight-week presence has looked familiar, at least from the outside. He arrived at media day with the old strut and the same showman energy that made him the biggest star in UFC history.
Conor McGregor pulled up to media day today doing his classic strut 😂 #UFC329 pic.twitter.com/vXiI6pmTIT
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 9, 2026
Holloway’s pace is the popular pick among UFC 329 fighters
Paddy Pimblett kept it blunt: if McGregor wins, it probably has to happen in the first two rounds. Benoit Saint-Denis said the same idea in different words, calling the matchup a huge test of McGregor after such a long absence and saying every extra minute should benefit Holloway.
Cory Sandhagen also leaned Holloway, pointing toward conditioning and McGregor’s time away from active competition. Mario Bautista picked Holloway for the same reason, while Lone'er Kavanagh admitted he could not make a clean prediction because of his Irish connection to McGregor and his respect for Holloway.
The new fight-week portraits only added to the conversation, giving fans a direct visual comparison between McGregor’s last fight and his 2026 return.
New Conor McGregor UFC portraits dropped
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) July 9, 2026
His last fight vs now 👀 pic.twitter.com/RwagTincgl
King Green and Robert Whittaker respect McGregor’s timing
King Green, who faces Terrance McKinney on the card, described the fight as almost 50/50 because McGregor’s timing may still be special. Still, Green ultimately leaned Holloway because Holloway has been the one staying active and doing the work.
Terrance McKinney gave the cleanest version of the prediction: if McGregor does not get Holloway out in the first two rounds, Holloway wins clearly or finishes him in the fourth.
Robert Whittaker, who meets Nikita Krylov elsewhere on the card, added more nuance. He mentioned McGregor’s layoff, the leg break, the comfort that can come after huge success, and Holloway’s history of staying battle-tested through hard five-round fights. Whittaker’s pick was Holloway, mostly because competition sharpness matters.
Even UFC 329 newcomers are siding with Max Holloway
Elisha Ellison picked Holloway by decision, noting that McGregor may have trained but has not been in the competition setting. Gable Steveson called McGregor an OG and a legend, but still chose Holloway.
That is the story of UFC 329 fight week. Nobody is pretending McGregor cannot crack the fight open early. But the fighter consensus is clear enough: if Holloway survives the first phase, the rematch begins to look like his kind of fight.
UFC 329 Fighter Picks FAQ
Who are fighters picking in Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 2?
Most fighters quoted ahead of UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2 are leaning toward Max Holloway, mainly because of his cardio, activity and recent competition.
Can Conor McGregor still beat Max Holloway?
Yes. Several fighters said Conor McGregor remains dangerous early because of his timing, power and left hand, especially in the first two rounds.
What did Paddy Pimblett say about McGregor vs Holloway?
Paddy Pimblett said McGregor likely needs to win inside the first two rounds, otherwise Holloway should take over.
Who did Robert Whittaker pick for UFC 329?
Robert Whittaker picked Holloway, citing McGregor’s long layoff, the leg injury recovery and Holloway’s continued activity in high-level fights.
What is King Green’s take on Holloway vs McGregor?
King Green said he was close to 50/50 because McGregor’s timing could still matter, but he leaned toward Holloway because Holloway has remained active and battle-tested.
Which UFC 329 fighters picked Max Holloway?
Fighters including Cory Sandhagen, Mario Bautista, Benoit Saint-Denis, Terrance McKinney, Elisha Ellison and Gable Steveson leaned toward Holloway.
When is Holloway vs McGregor 2?
Holloway vs. McGregor headlines UFC 329 in Las Vegas.
UFC 329 fighters mostly see the same danger window for Conor McGregor
The closer UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2 gets, the more the same theme keeps coming up from fighters: Conor McGregor is dangerous early, but Max Holloway becomes the safer pick the longer the fight lasts.
That is the central question around Holloway vs. McGregor. McGregor has the timing, the left hand and the aura to make the opening rounds uncomfortable for anyone. Holloway has the activity, cardio, recent competition and five-round experience that usually turn fights in his favor once the first storm passes.
McGregor’s fight-week presence has looked familiar, at least from the outside. He arrived at media day with the old strut and the same showman energy that made him the biggest star in UFC history.
Conor McGregor pulled up to media day today doing his classic strut 😂 #UFC329 pic.twitter.com/vXiI6pmTIT
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 9, 2026
Holloway’s pace is the popular pick among UFC 329 fighters
Paddy Pimblett kept it blunt: if McGregor wins, it probably has to happen in the first two rounds. Benoit Saint-Denis said the same idea in different words, calling the matchup a huge test of McGregor after such a long absence and saying every extra minute should benefit Holloway.
Cory Sandhagen also leaned Holloway, pointing toward conditioning and McGregor’s time away from active competition. Mario Bautista picked Holloway for the same reason, while Lone'er Kavanagh admitted he could not make a clean prediction because of his Irish connection to McGregor and his respect for Holloway.
The new fight-week portraits only added to the conversation, giving fans a direct visual comparison between McGregor’s last fight and his 2026 return.
New Conor McGregor UFC portraits dropped
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) July 9, 2026
His last fight vs now 👀 pic.twitter.com/RwagTincgl
King Green and Robert Whittaker respect McGregor’s timing
King Green, who faces Terrance McKinney on the card, described the fight as almost 50/50 because McGregor’s timing may still be special. Still, Green ultimately leaned Holloway because Holloway has been the one staying active and doing the work.
Terrance McKinney gave the cleanest version of the prediction: if McGregor does not get Holloway out in the first two rounds, Holloway wins clearly or finishes him in the fourth.
Robert Whittaker, who meets Nikita Krylov elsewhere on the card, added more nuance. He mentioned McGregor’s layoff, the leg break, the comfort that can come after huge success, and Holloway’s history of staying battle-tested through hard five-round fights. Whittaker’s pick was Holloway, mostly because competition sharpness matters.
Even UFC 329 newcomers are siding with Max Holloway
Elisha Ellison picked Holloway by decision, noting that McGregor may have trained but has not been in the competition setting. Gable Steveson called McGregor an OG and a legend, but still chose Holloway.
That is the story of UFC 329 fight week. Nobody is pretending McGregor cannot crack the fight open early. But the fighter consensus is clear enough: if Holloway survives the first phase, the rematch begins to look like his kind of fight.
UFC 329 Fighter Picks FAQ
Who are fighters picking in Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 2?
Most fighters quoted ahead of UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2 are leaning toward Max Holloway, mainly because of his cardio, activity and recent competition.
Can Conor McGregor still beat Max Holloway?
Yes. Several fighters said Conor McGregor remains dangerous early because of his timing, power and left hand, especially in the first two rounds.
What did Paddy Pimblett say about McGregor vs Holloway?
Paddy Pimblett said McGregor likely needs to win inside the first two rounds, otherwise Holloway should take over.
Who did Robert Whittaker pick for UFC 329?
Robert Whittaker picked Holloway, citing McGregor’s long layoff, the leg injury recovery and Holloway’s continued activity in high-level fights.
What is King Green’s take on Holloway vs McGregor?
King Green said he was close to 50/50 because McGregor’s timing could still matter, but he leaned toward Holloway because Holloway has remained active and battle-tested.
Which UFC 329 fighters picked Max Holloway?
Fighters including Cory Sandhagen, Mario Bautista, Benoit Saint-Denis, Terrance McKinney, Elisha Ellison and Gable Steveson leaned toward Holloway.
When is Holloway vs McGregor 2?
Holloway vs. McGregor headlines UFC 329 in Las Vegas.
