Two Legends Clash at UFC 329: Who do we pick?

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The names Max Holloway and Conor McGregor have been synonymous with the UFC's peak marketability and overall success over the past decade, a period when UFC fighters were as recognizable as the biggest WWF stars of the 1980s.

The list of top fighters during the companies’ peak period of 2005-2015 reads like a list of comic book heroes, where, it seemed, everyone had their favorite. In the heavier weight classes, names like Brock Lesnar or Cain Velasquez would sometimes lead the main card. Every fighter had their own unique style both in and out of the ring. Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Quinton “Rampage” had their own ring entrances that are probably still firmly etched in the memories of the UFC early die-hard fanbase.  

International Exposure, and Representation in the UFC

Fighters hailing from outside of the US were also embraced as some of their own. Anderson Silva, Georges St. Pierre, and Jose Aldo all relied on their distinctive fighting styles, which had many opponents backing up on their heels and either being knocked out or submitted to a “rear-naked choke”. Since the lot previously described moved on from the UFC and into retirement, the star power antics of previous generations have, in effect, vanished. A case can be made for both fighters and former champions in the lightweight (McGregor) and Featherweight (McGregor and Holloway) divisions.

They are, or at least they were, loud, boisterous personalities that had fans craving and ultimately being given a look into their rigorous training regiments. Following the fighters' journey had once again become equally important to the niche of UFC supporters. Both Conor and Max have nothing left to prove in the UFC. They have made enough money to support their families for generations to come.

So why, when both fighters had appeared to be enjoying retirement and entering the sports media or Hollywood scene, are they headlining the main card on July 11th in T-Mobile Arena? Well, the obvious answer is that names such as Du Plessis or Strickland don’t pique the interest of fanboys hosting beer pong parties or purchasing pay-per-view anywhere close to the degree that McGregor and Holloway can and will. The UFC needs some new star power, and in the interim, the marketing move of UFC 329 will have to suffice.

The Main Event

As it stands, Conor McGregor is listed as the underdog with a 30% probability of winning. This might be a smart play to take McGregor to at least go the distance, and Holloway has one of the best chins in UFC history. It would seem that both fighters are entering the octagon slightly heavier than usual. For Holloway, the jump from 145, in Featherweight, to 170, in Welterweight might suggest that his conditioning is not as elite as it was during his reign as Champion from 2017-2020.

Conor has also been tagged as excessively muscular, which might be aesthetically pleasing to his fanbase but can cause myriad issues in the throes of a UFC fight. What is the final verdict? Which fighter, effectively at the end of their illustrious career, will have their hand raised after the main event at UFC 329? The odds look a bit too heavy in Holloway's favor at this time, which might present an interesting opportunity for sports gamers. But after fighting just once in the past four years, McGregor just might be too rusty and far removed to counter the endless assault of strikes from the speedy Holloway. We’ll take Max, but watch these odds; be patient in the days leading up to the fight. Admittedly, we’re ecstatic to see a clash of these two UFC fighting legends.