​LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 07: Max Holloway walks to the Octagon for the BMF Championship bout at UFC 326 inside T-Mobile Arena on March 07, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) We’re about a week away from Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return to MMA at UFC 329, where he’ll collide with Max Holloway on June 11. Everything appears set, which is good news for Holloway, who admitted he wasn’t sure McGregor would actually show up. In a fresh interview with MMA Junkie, Holloway said he was relieved to hear McGregor speaking so confidently ahead of their rematch. McGregor dominated Holloway in their first meeting 13 years ago, leaving Holloway blanked on the scorecards and even earning a 30-26 from one of the judges. McGregor now suggests that Holloway hasn’t changed much and remains the same fighter who challenged him all those years ago. “Whatever gets him to the Octagon on Saturday night, keep telling yourself that,” Holloway replied. “Please just show up on Saturday night.” “Conor has the gift of gab, and he loves to talk. Maybe he’s talking to fire himself up. I support it 100%. Me, Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway, supports this message. Keep talking. I can’t wait to see you come Saturday night.” “Saying I’m not a different fighter and all that—whatever; it is what it is,” he added. “Keep telling yourself whatever you’ve got to tell yourself. I just need him to show up on Saturday night and step into the Octagon. Then we’ll find out if he’s right or wrong.” It’s been five long years since McGregor last fought, accompanied by years of speculation about a comeback. In 2024, McGregor was slated to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 but pulled out two weeks before the event due to a broken pinky toe. A new date for that bout never materialized. Now, two years later and past the two-week mark, the sports world continues to hope McGregor will appear. The sentiment is shared by Max Holloway as well, who is eager for the showdown.