McGregor v Holloway 2 - UFC 329 fight predictions

Conor McGregor and Max Holloway face off

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Max Holloway has fought eight times since Conor McGregor's last bout in the UFC

Published36 minutes ago

Conor McGregor makes his much-anticipated return from a five-year hiatus to face Max Holloway in a rematch on Sunday in Las Vegas.

McGregor beat Holloway, 34, when they met as featherweights in 2013 but will step into the octagon as welterweights at UFC 329.

Former featherweight and lightweight champion McGregor, 37, has won just one of his past four fights and has just two wins in the past 10 years.

Holloway, who also held the featherweight title, will be making his debut at welterweight as he looks to avoid a second loss against the Irishman.

Can McGregor mark his return with a win? Or will Holloway earn revenge?

You can follow all the action from 03:00 GMT on Sunday, 12 July on the BBC Sport website and app.

BBC Sport asked the world of MMA for predictions.

What information do we collect from this quiz?

Tom Aspinall - UFC heavyweight champion

"McGregor is up against it in an active guy like Holloway but the power never leaves you. McGregor could finish it in one shot.

"There's definitely possibility of Holloway picking him off and moving but I'm favouring a McGregor win with a round one knockout.

"I think he's going to land a big left on him."

Prediction - McGregor

Michael Bisping - first British UFC champion

"Conor is used to these big moments but he's been away for five years and there is a new pressure that comes with it now.

"He will come out hot and hard, I think he'll be swinging. There might be a couple of troubling moments for Max Holloway but I think he'll get through it.

"I think Holloway survives the first round and then it gets really tough going and McGregor will be lucky to see the final bell."

Prediction - Holloway

Speaking on the Believe You Me podcast

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Paddy Pimblett - UFC lightweight

"If Conor catches Max early then I see him knocking him out. Max has been dropped in three of his last four and this is at welterweight so Conor will be big.

"But if it goes past the second then Max is going to piece him up and get a late finish or decision."

Prediction - 50/50

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Demetrious Johnson - retired UFC champion

"I'm going with Max for this one. He did get ragdolled by Charles Oliveira but Oliveira is a monster and I don't think Conor has the same skillset when it comes to grappling."

Prediction - Holloway

Speaking on the MightyCast podcast

Lone'er Kavanagh - UFC flyweight

"I'm looking forward to watching it as a fan. I want to back the Irishman, being part Irish but I also love Max Holloway. I'm just going to sit back and enjoy it."

Prediction - neutral

Paul Felder - retired UFC lightweight

"I'm going with Max Holloway as a late stoppage - probably round four.

"If Conor comes in phenomenal shape then maybe a decision. I'd love to see the point down but I think if Max wins it will be a late stoppage.

"Conor will be difficult to deal with in the first 10 minutes but then he'll fade and, as he crumbles a bit, Max will get it."

Prediction - Holloway

Speaking on the Believe You Me podcast

Benoit Saint-Denis - UFC lightweight

"It's a huge fight. Conor hasn't been fighting for a long time and I think the longer the fight lasts it will favour Max Holloway."

Prediction - Holloway

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Dricus du Plessis - UFC middleweight

"I'm going with the Mac. I'm never going against him. I'm never going against Conor.

"I'm a massive Max Holloway fan, he's a great fighter and he's deserving of everything he's got and all the praise. But I can't go against Conor."

Prediction - McGregor

Speaking on the Fight Forecast podcast

Terrance McKinney - UFC lightweight

"If Conor doesn't get him out of there in the first two rounds then Max by a clear decision or a TKO in the fourth round."

Prediction - 50/50

Bobby Green - UFC lightweight

"I'm 50/50 on it. We don't know what Conor will show up.

"Everything is in Conor's favour where he doesn't have to cut weight but Max is the guy who has put the work in and been in the trenches.

"I'm kind of on the side of Max but that shot Conor has and his timing is key."

Prediction - 50/50

Robert Whittaker - UFC light-heavyweight

"I'm going to be backing Max. I think he gets it done, he's been battle tested, he's been in the game, he's had these five-round fights and he's had to battle through it."

Prediction - Holloway

Mason Jones - UFC lightweight

"If the fight goes ahead, I can't see it going anywhere other than a Conor McGregor win. He's too big at 170lb, Max Holloway is a big guy but he won't have the power Conor has.

"I can see Conor putting Max away within three rounds. Conor's gas tank is a worry but I'm backing The Notorious."

Prediction - McGregor