Conor McGregor successfully makes weight for Max Holloway fight as UFC 329 main event made official
Conor McGregor has successfully made weight for the 15th time in his UFC career for his fight against Max Holloway.
The 37-year-old, who returns to the UFC for the first time in five years this weekend, tipped the scales at 170.5lbs in Las Vegas on Friday.
His opponent – former UFC featherweight champion Holloway, came in lighter at 170lbs – making Saturday’s main event official.
Of course, McGregor vs Holloway 2 is being contested at 170lbs in the welterweight division — the first time the latter has fought at that weight in his career.
McGregor, meanwhile, traded wins with Nate Diaz at welterweight in 2016, and his last win in the UFC against Donald Cerrone in 2020 was fought at 170lbs.
The Irishman hasn’t competed since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, which was his second consecutive defeat to the American.
However, it was clear McGregor, who has won UFC titles at featherweight and lightweight, had packed on some serious muscle since his last appearance while keeping his perfect weight streak intact.
McGregor makes Holloway prediction
Speaking at Thursday’s press conference in front of a packed, raucous crowd, McGregor sent a warning to Holloway ahead of their headline clash.
“I can destroy Max in ten seconds,” McGregor said.
“I have knockouts inside three seconds on my fighting record.
“I have Hall of Fame fighters, multiple Hall of Fame UFC fighters, defeated and destroyed both together and under a minute.
“And I can add Max to that. However, don’t get it twisted. If we go into these deep waters, Max is going to be in a lot of trouble, badly concussed.
“I predict destruction. I’m going to destroy Max; I’m going to eliminate Max.
“The final opponent of mine is still within the UFC ranks.
“All of my other opponents are gone. Max is the last one left, and on Saturday night, he gets eliminated for good.”
Holloway feels ‘great’ at 170lbs
Holloway spoke to the UFC 329 morning weigh-in show panel after making weight and was asked what his camp has been like for his inaugural 170lbs appearance.
“I feel great,” Holloway said.
“This whole camp has been about performance. That’s what it was. Performance.
“In previous fights, we’ve had to focus on weight cuts and making weight and performance.
“This was straight performance. I put on weight because I wanted to.
“We thought Conor was going to come in a little bit bigger. He looks good. I look good. I can’t wait.
“He’s been walking about talking about how he’s a missile. I’m a nuke.”
The 34-year-old continued: “I think we’ll see the best Conor McGregor, for sure.
“He’s said he’s found God and had his kids sitting front row [at the press conference].
“He’s got a little bit of money in the bank, so many connections, I think he did [his comeback] the right way and I’m excited.
“No excuses. He’s saying everything. So on Saturday night when I put a whopping that I know I’m gonna put on him — no excuses.”
Co-main eventers, Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis, also successfully made weight on Friday, both hitting the scales at 156lbs for their lightweight title eliminator clash.
In fact, all 28 athletes on the UFC 329 card met the weight requirement for their respective bouts.
McGregor is returning to the sport on the back of a tumultuous period sidelined, which included a scheduled return against Michael Chandler in June 2024 that was cancelled when the Irish star injured his toe.
In November 2024, McGregor lost a civil sexual assault case against Nikita Hand and was later ordered to pay €250,000 in damages.
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He remains the biggest yet most controversial star in UFC history.
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