​Belal Muhammad shares his assessment of how Max Holloway should approach the highly anticipated UFC 329 main event, where Holloway faces Conor McGregor in a welterweight showdown at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. As McGregor returns after a five-year break from the UFC, Muhammad believes Holloway should initiate a cautious, safety-first game plan, emphasizing the potential value of early grappling to neutralize McGregor’s power and speed, especially during the opening exchanges.
Muhammad highlights that McGregor’s form, speed, and power are uncertain after such a long layoff, and there’s a real possibility that the former two-division champion remains a dangerous threat in the opening minutes, particularly given his move up to 170 pounds. At 37, McGregor’s durability and stamina will be under close scrutiny, and Muhammad argues that cardio could become a significant factor for the Irish superstar now that he has moved up a weight class and continues to add muscle mass. On his YouTube channel, Muhammad explained why the early moments of the bout could favor McGregor’s aggression but also why Holloway should be prepared to weather that initial storm.
“I think that first three or four minutes, McGregor’s gonna come out hot,” Muhammad noted. He pointed out that, even at the peak of his career, McGregor’s cardio was a known concern. “So now, five years off, extra muscle, higher weight class, I think his cardio’s gonna be even a bigger problem.” This line of thinking underpins Muhammad’s strategy recommendation for Holloway: absorb the early pressure, then shift the trajectory of the fight through controlled grappling and takedowns.
To mitigate the risk of a fast start from McGregor, Muhammad suggests Holloway should be the one to initiate grappling. He argued that McGregor’s physique has evolved with added muscle, which could sap his cardio more quickly as the fight progresses. Holloway, with his diverse skill set and proven pace, has the tools to implement a grueling grappling approach designed to drain McGregor’s energy and limit his ability to threaten with heavy outputs in the early rounds. By initiating the grappling exchange, Holloway can steer the fight toward safer territory and minimize the chance of an early stoppage or a costly exchange.
Muhammad’s core message centers on a strategic battle of attrition: Holloway should use grappling and takedown attempts to control the tempo, particularly in the first three to four minutes, when McGregor is most likely to surge with speed and power. This approach would help Holloway survive McGregor’s initial onslaught, reset the fight’s pace, and transition into a more sustainable striking game as McGregor’s energy depletes. The former welterweight champion believes that by securing early clinches and executing calculated takedowns, Holloway can wear McGregor down and wear away at the Irish star’s confidence.
In sum, Muhammad’s prediction for UFC 329 is one that emphasizes patient defense and precise grappling from Holloway. The plan hinges on Holloway neutralizing McGregor’s early aggression, exploiting potential cardio limitations from the five-year layoff and new weight class, and gradually turning the fight into a controlled grappling contest. By initiating the wrestling exchanges in the opening minutes, Holloway could establish a safer, more methodical path to victory, leveraging his endurance, versatility, and strategic acumen to neutralize McGregor’s power and pace as the fight unfolds. This approach aims to maximize Holloway’s opportunities to land clean, high-volume strikes while protecting himself from McGregor’s powerful early-onset offense.