​LAS VEGAS – If Conor McGregor’s comparatively tempered media day on Wednesday gave the impression that he had faded from the persona that electrified the sport in years past, Thursday’s official press conference offered a decisive counterpoint ahead of his showdown with Max Holloway at UFC 329. The Mac is back in full swagger.
For about half an hour, McGregor moved through the room with ease, answering questions from the press and basking in the audience’s admiration. He delivered his usual bold confidence and even delivered an impromptu rendition of Oasis’ Wonderwall that quickly became a viral moment. After the verbal fireworks, he briefly shoved Holloway during the ceremonial face-off and swatted his hands away, underscoring that he’s still the same relentless rival who helped reshape the sport.
Here are the standout moments from McGregor’s return to the microphone on the UFC podium.
On the fan reception: “This is why I’m back for the love of the game and the love of the fans. It’s fantastic to be back in Las Vegas after five years away. I’ve been fighting since I emerged from the womb, and I’ll be fighting until the day I go out. So this is another day for McGregor, baby.”
On Holloway’s claim that the fight will go into “deep waters”: “I can end this in 10 seconds; I’ve had knockouts in as quick as three seconds in my career. I’ve defeated and dismantled multiple Hall of Fame fighters in under a minute, and I can add Max to that list. But that doesn’t mean we’re discounting the possibility of going deep. If we go into those deep waters, Max is going to be in a lot of trouble—severely concussed. You were left in a wheelchair the last time you went into the deep end, and you won’t wade back in.”
When Holloway was asked about representing the Pacific Islands: Holloway: “It feels great. I can hear everyone in here.” McGregor: “You’re welcome. You’re welcome. With love from the Emerald Isle, you’re welcome.” Holloway: “Hey, thank you, Conor.” McGregor: “I’m about to knock the dust off those red panties, baby. Call the wife, baby—we did it. McGregor’s home.”
On Holloway offering a rematch if he loses: “I find it disrespectful. It shows he’s here for the money. He doesn’t understand the danger he’s in. I predict Holloway’s retirement on Saturday night—this won’t be a trilogy for cash.”
On whether Holloway is the best boxer in the UFC: “I don’t rate his boxing at all. He has one gear, and it’s not impressive. We’ve rarely seen magic from Max in the Octagon. Little Evil Holloway—on Saturday night, he gets destroyed.”
On Holloway allegedly copying his style: The atmosphere was charged with a sense of inevitability, as McGregor implied that Holloway is riding a borrowed wave in a sport he has helped redefine, suggesting that the spectacle around Holloway’s approach isn’t enough to tilt the outcome on fight night. The press conference left little doubt that McGregor intends to deliver the same brand of reckoning that has defined his best moments in the cage, and that the public should expect a fight that matches the heightened hype with even higher stakes.