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Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway: FULL UFC 329 Pre-Fight Press Conference

The Ariel Helwani Show · 10 July 2026 · 26m · 3 Egleze moments
Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway: FULL UFC 329 Pre-Fight Press Conference ▶

What happened in this episode?

UFC President Dana White hosted a pre-fight press conference for one of the highest-profile cards in UFC history, headlined by the return of Conor McGregor against Max Holloway in a highly anticipated rematch. McGregor, the former featherweight and lightweight champion and first simultaneous two-weight world champion, returns to the octagon after five years away from competition. He faces Holloway, the former featherweight and BMF champion who holds the record for most significant strikes in UFC history. White confirmed the event has generated the biggest gate in UFC history. McGregor made several controversial statements, predicting Holloway's retirement rather than a trilogy bout and claiming Holloway copied his fighting style and tradition of carrying national flags after their first fight in 2013. The Irish superstar attributed his return to faith, revealing he slept in his gym during training camp and stating he has mountain-moving faith as a Catholic. McGregor declared he is in his prime and promised destruction, saying he could finish Holloway in 10 seconds but is also prepared for deep waters. Holloway countered confidently, saying he plans to drown McGregor and take the two championship belts McGregor brought to the press conference. The co-main event features British lightweight Paddy Pimblett against France's Benoit Saint-Denis, with both fighters promising violence. Pimblett received a massive reception second only to McGregor. McGregor also expressed openness to a Floyd Mayweather rematch under Zuffa Boxing and confirmed his desire to become the first triple champion in UFC history, though he acknowledged Ian Machado Garry could complicate those plans if Garry wins the lightweight title.

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Programme
The Ariel Helwani Show
Published
10 July 2026
Duration
26m
Original episode
Open the original source ↗

Egleze verifies the speaker, source and timestamp for each linked moment. Unless a moment is explicitly marked independently verified, statements remain attributed claims by the named speaker rather than established facts.

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3 moments from this episode

Source-linked · editorially selected
01
Combat & UFC

McGregor claims Holloway copied his style and flag-carrying after first fight loss

at 10:46 · Attributed speaker claim
Max copied my entire game, along with Max. You know, Max added some shots of mine, even the carrying of his nation's flag. I didn't see that before. So there's a lot of that.

In a controversial claim, McGregor accused Max Holloway of imitating his fighting style and tradition of carrying national flags after their first encounter. McGregor defeated Holloway in 2013 early in both fighters' careers. The accusation suggests McGregor believes Holloway's subsequent championship success was built on copying McGregor's blueprint.

02
Combat & UFC

Dana White confirms biggest gate in UFC history for McGregor Holloway rematch

at 11:43 · Attributed speaker claim
Biggest gate in UFC's history. Thank you to the fans. Thank you to our fans.

UFC President Dana White revealed the McGregor-Holloway rematch has generated the largest gate revenue in UFC history. The announcement underscores McGregor's continued drawing power despite five years away from competition. White made the statement during the pre-fight press conference in Las Vegas during International Fight Week.

03
Combat & UFC

Conor McGregor forecasts Max Holloway retirement, rejects trilogy talk as disrespectful

at 15:35 · Attributed speaker claim
I find it disrespectful. I find it shows he is here for economic— the economics of it. He must not realize the danger he is in. I forecast Holloway's retirement on Saturday night, not a trilogy for cash.

McGregor dismissed Max Holloway's offer of a December rematch, suggesting Holloway is motivated by money rather than competition. McGregor predicted he will retire Holloway on Saturday night rather than face him again. The comments escalate tensions ahead of their highly anticipated rematch after five years away from the octagon.