Max Holloway wants to beat Conor McGregor at UFC 329 on Saturday — and then do it again later this year. Per MMA Fighting, Holloway said at media day: “I’m going to make him think that he can do it one more time so we can rematch at the end of the year.”

A reference to the Poirier-McGregor trilogy.

Combat Edge’s Elo ratings back Holloway’s confidence. Max Holloway holds a higher Elo rating than Conor McGregor, reflecting his sustained activity and recent wins. McGregor hasn’t fought since July 2021, when he broke his leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier.

Context: A 13-Year-Old Loss and a Comeback

Holloway and McGregor first met in August 2013. McGregor won a decision after injuring his knee and using wrestling to neutralize Holloway. Both went on to title success: McGregor at featherweight and lightweight, Holloway as featherweight champion with three defenses.

McGregor, now 38, has only one win in four MMA fights over the past decade. Holloway, 34, has fought consistently, including a recent win over Justin Gaethje. The Combat Edge Elo rankings show Holloway as the higher-rated fighter, with McGregor’s inactivity dragging his rating down.

Details: Holloway’s Plan and McGregor’s Return

Holloway is a betting favorite at -235 on FanDuel, per the report. He acknowledged the pay is “beautiful” and called himself a “prizefighter.” McGregor has claimed he’s rededicated to training, working with Tim Grover, and eliminated distractions. Holloway isn’t buying the narrative that McGregor is past his prime: “I’m getting ready for the most dangerous Conor McGregor we ever saw and nobody’s telling me otherwise.”

The UFC 329 main event takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. McGregor has said there are plans for one more fight on his UFC contract in April 2027. Holloway wants to be that opponent, too.

However, many believe that this might be McGregor's last fight if he doesn't come victorious against Holloway this weekend.

Combat Edge take

The Elo gap is real. Holloway has fought elite competition — Alexander Volkanovski, Yair Rodriguez, Arnold Allen — and stayed active. McGregor’s Elo has decayed from years of inactivity and a loss. Holloway’s pressure and volume should overwhelm a rusty McGregor. The rematch talk is fun, and with the discussion over fighter pay, it's clear why Holloway is already pointing out that it will be 1-1 if he comes out on top Saturday. He wants another McGregor paycheck.

That said, in my opinion, the fight will have to play out a very particular way for Holloway to take the win and for McGregor to still want a rematch. I personally doubt it. I see Max's durability and cardio exposing McGregor as not competitive anymore at the highest level of the sport in the latter rounds.