Michael 'Venom' Page has warned that Conor McGregor's fitness will be his undoing when he faces Max Holloway at UFC 329 this weekend. The 37-year-old Irishman is making his long-awaited return to the octagon after five years, having not fought since breaking his leg in a first-round defeat to Dustin Poirier in 2021.
Page Backs Holloway to Exploit McGregor's Cardio Issues
Page, a top welterweight contender, believes Holloway's consistency and McGregor's historical cardio problems will decide the fight. 'You have to favour Max. McGregor is always going to have that McGregor effect, but you’re always going to favour the more consistent fighter,' Page told Thunderpick. 'McGregor wasn’t necessarily the fittest of fighters even when he was in his prime. One of the question marks over his name was his fitness.'
The fight marks the second meeting between McGregor and Holloway, 13 years after their first bout in Boston, which McGregor won on points. Since then, Holloway has become a former featherweight champion and BMF titleholder, though he enters this fight after a tough loss to Charles Oliveira earlier this year.
McGregor's Layoff and Weight Move Raise Concerns
McGregor's comeback has been delayed multiple times. He was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler in 2024 but withdrew due to a broken toe. Now moving up to welterweight, Page notes that ring rust could be critical. 'One of the first things you lose is fitness, and the other thing you lose is timing. Both are the two things he is probably going to need,' Page added.
Page also expressed interest in facing McGregor if the Irishman remains at 170 pounds. 'All the dangers I said I’m going to put myself in at middleweight are exactly what he puts himself in fighting me at 170, as well as me being way more awkward than anybody he’s ever fought in his life,' Page said. 'If he was to stay at 170 and that was an opportunity, 100% my hand would be up.'
McGregor's UFC Future
McGregor has two fights remaining on his current UFC contract and hopes to complete them before the end of the year. The outcome of Saturday's fight in Las Vegas could determine his future trajectory in the sport.
