​Sean O’Malley doesn’t expect Conor McGregor to look rusty at UFC 329. McGregor, who holds a 22-6 MMA record with 10-4 in the UFC, makes a highly anticipated comeback after a five-year hiatus to challenge Max Holloway (27-9 MMA, 23-9 UFC) in the main event of UFC 329’s welterweight showdown at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, streaming on Paramount+. O’Malley has noted McGregor’s tendency to slow down as fights progress, a pattern that could influence how the matchup unfolds, especially given the extended layoff.
Despite the long break, O’Malley still views McGregor as a potent threat early in the fight. On his YouTube channel, he laid out a range of possibilities, suggesting that if McGregor can finish the bout, it might come in the first or second round. If McGregor can’t close it quickly, O’Malley believes we could witness a Holloway masterclass. He pointed out that five years away from competition is a substantial amount of time, and McGregor’s personal life during that period—described with a tongue-in-cheek jab at not sleeping eight hours a night and not strictly adhering to a traditional routine—could influence his performance.
O’Malley spoke with optimism about McGregor’s return, predicting that he’ll appear sharp and fast, at least in the early stages of the bout. Yet he remains uncertain about how long that initial spark will endure. While the consensus in betting circles often leans toward Holloway, O’Malley admitted he has a strong gut feeling in favor of McGregor—an instinct that the Irish star will pull off something special.
“I think Conor’s going to come out and look really good,” O’Malley said. “I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people. He’s going to look fast, but I don’t know how long that looking good is going to last.”
On the other hand, Holloway’s durability and skill present a formidable challenge. O’Malley acknowledged Holloway’s proven ability to withstand punishment and still push forward, but he also noted McGregor’s potential to land significant blows. Holloway has absorbed hard shots in the past, including moments in recent fights where he’s been cracked by opponents like Dustin Poirier and Ilia Topuria. This resilience is a facet of Holloway’s game that McGregor will need to navigate, and it raises questions about whether McGregor can capitalize on early openings and finish the fight or if Holloway can weather the initial storm and impose his pace and variety as the bout progresses.
O’Malley did not shy away from mixing humor with analysis, even entertaining a dramatic, tongue-in-cheek conclusion. He joked that McGregor could end Holloway’s night almost instantaneously, playing on the idea of a quick, explosive finish reminiscent of McGregor’s past highlight-reel moments. In a lighthearted exaggeration, he quipped that McGregor might even surpass his famous 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo with a similarly dramatic early finish against Holloway.
In sum, O’Malley’s take blends measured respect for McGregor’s skills and power with caution about the five-year layoff and the difficulty of maintaining elite form over five rounds. He remains intrigued by McGregor’s potential to emerge from the opening exchanges with a decisive advantage, capable of delivering the kind of finish that would reignite McGregor’s stride and momentum in the welterweight clash. Yet he also concedes that Holloway is a dangerous opponent who can adapt, absorb punishment, and execute his own game plan when the pace shifts and the fight moves beyond the first round.
This preview of UFC 329’s main event underscores the dynamic tension between two legendary fighters: a returning McGregor, who could flash peak-level intensity in the early rounds, and Holloway, a relentless competitor with the endurance and tactical depth to wear down an opponent over time. Whether McGregor’s early sharpness translates into a swift finish or Holloway’s resilience and volume control the tempo remains one of the most compelling narratives of UFC 329. As fans await the action at the T-Mobile Arena, streaming via Paramount+, the question on everyone’s mind is whether McGregor’s five-year absence will meaningfully affect his ability to deliver a high-impact performance from the opening bell or whether Holloway’s consistency will prevail as the deeper, longer encounter unfolds.