Dustin Poirier shared his prediction for the upcoming rematch at UFC 329 between longtime rivals Conor McGregor and Max Holloway.
This past Saturday night, UFC president Dana White took to his Instagram Live to officially announce the trilogy bout between McGregor and Holloway. This fight will headline UFC 329, which is set to take place on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also on the card is a co-main event lightweight bout between Benoit Saint Denis and Paddy Pimblett, plus heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson makes his UFC debut against Elisha Ellison.
Poirier has fought both McGregor and Holloway three times, so if there’s anyone in the world to ask about how this rematch between the Irishman and the Hawaiian will go, it’s the Louisiana native. Poirier won his trilogy 2-1 over McGregor and 2-1 over Holloway, so he knows both of these fighters inside and out.
Dustin Poirier Shares Prediction for Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2
Speaking on the “Deep Waters” podcast, Poirier shared his prediction for McGregor vs. Holloway 2. Spoiler alert: he thinks Holloway dusts McGregor in the fight.
“I think Max smokes him like a brisket,” Poirier said. “The thing is, Conor has the power. No matter the injury, that’s going to be there still. The timing, other things matter. But the power’s going to be there.”
The Deep Waters crew reacts to Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 2 officially being announced
In Poirier’s three fights against McGregor, he was knocked out once in their first meeting, while returning the favor with a knockout in their rematch, before winning by injury TKO in their trilogy. As for Holloway, Poirier submitted him in their first fight, won a decision in their second fight, and then lost a decision in his last fight, which ended up being the final fight of his MMA career last July at UFC 318.
Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2 Headlines UFC 329
One thing to keep in mind about McGregor vs. Holloway 2 is that this fight is taking place in the UFC welterweight division, meaning both men can weigh up to 171 lbs since it’s a non-title welterweight bout. McGregor has fought numerous times at welterweight, so he knows the weight class well, while for Holloway, this is the first time in his UFC career that he will be competing at this weight class. So, from a size and experience perspective, you’d have to give McGregor a slight edge there, since he has competed in the division several times already.
That being said, Holloway is a big betting favorite to win this fight for a reason. After all, McGregor hasn’t fought in five years since he broke his leg against Poirier in their trilogy bout at UFC 264, while Holloway has been competing regularly. Yes, Holloway is coming off a dominant decision defeat to Charles Oliveira, losing his BMF Title in the process, but he beat Poirier over five rounds last summer, so Holloway is still at the top of his game.
Given McGregor’s injury, long layoff, and questionable cardio, you have to heavily favor Holloway to win this fight, just like the odds suggest. But McGregor absolutely has a puncher’s chance, as Poirier noted, and that’s reason enough to tune into this fight on July 11 and see how it plays out.
Dustin Poirier Predicts Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2