So Max Holloway is going to be rewarded for his company loyalty by being privy to the payday associated with fighting Conor McGregor.
While on the surface this is exciting news to many, the reality is that there are serious unknowns leading into this proposed fight and most of the risk and penalty will be borne by Holloway, then the UFC and finally the fans.
Let me explain.
McGregor has not fought competitively since 2021 and then he was a 155 pound lightweight.
Since that last competition McGregor has pleased us with the following public spectacles:
In 2018 at UFC 223 he attacked a bus full of fighters, then followed that up with assault/rape charges in 2019, 2021 and 2023. Later in 2023 another famed incident with the Miami Heat mascot gained the manically McGregor more dubious fame and notoriety.
McGregor’s erratic behavior, his slathering appearances when in public as well some unsolicited nude photo charges in 2025 paint the picture of a man who was born with nothing but talent, who then skyrockets into fame and riches on said talent then self-destructs on the excess that his natural physical gifts brought him.
Now the UFC needs a spark, and they turn to the magic money elixir that is McGregor.
The question I pose is this: who knows how serious McGregor takes this fight?
It’s scheduled for 170lbs. but who is to say that upon the last days of the fight that McGregor’s lifestyle and moxie don’t allow him to roll into this fight at 178 or 180lbs thus forcing Max, the ever professional company man already stretching to take this fight at 170 into even further disadvantage by trying to compete above the 170 pounds where he has never really competed before.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the UFC is selling it’s soul to please stakeholders and they’ll pull anything to get a leg up…..even taking advantage of a naïve fan base to sell them a ‘name’ as opposed to a legitimate athlete that can compete effectively in the cage.
For Max Holloway I only hope McGregor honors what he says and commits to, but I have seen this movie before, and I will believe this fight takes place at 170lbs as scheduled only upon seeing it.
Betting this fight under the assumption that it takes place at 170lbs. is a foolish endeavor people.
I advise waiting and watching the leadup to this bout because the dynamic that happens in the prefight weeks will more than likely overshadow what happens on fight night when an overserved and underprepared McGregor steps into the cage.
I absolutely do not believe this fight takes place at 170lbs. but if it does I’ll likely be very active in my approach to betting this bout.