Dustin Poirier has questioned Max Holloway's durability ahead of his upcoming showdown with Conor McGregor at UFC 329. The two fighters will meet for a second time on July 11, 13 years after their initial encounter, which McGregor won by decision.
McGregor's Long-Awaited Return
McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg in a first-round defeat to Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. He was scheduled to return two years ago against Michael Chandler but withdrew due to an injury in training. Now, the Irishman is set to face Holloway, who has been active in the lightweight division since McGregor's absence.
Poirier's Analysis of Holloway's Recent Form
Poirier, who has fought Holloway three times, believes the Hawaiian's durability may be declining. He noted that Holloway has been knocked down more in his last three fights than in his entire career. "In Max's last three fights, he's touched the canvas more times than he's touched his whole career," Poirier said on the Deep Waters show. "Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria dropped him, I dropped him. If Max's chin is finally catching up to the style of fighting he does, Conor could put him down."
Welterweight Advantage for McGregor
The fight is taking place at welterweight, a weight class McGregor is familiar with, having fought Nate Diaz twice at 170lb in 2016. His last win also came at welterweight, a first-round knockout of Donald Cerrone in 2020. However, Poirier warned that Holloway is more dangerous since moving up from featherweight, possessing greater power. "Max for sure is a volume puncher, but at lightweight when I fought him last, he has power behind his shots, and at 170 he's got to have even more power," Poirier added. "He's not just a volume puncher. He can finish fights."
Holloway, a former featherweight champion, has established himself as a UFC legend since his debut in 2012. He last fought in March, losing to Charles Oliveira. Meanwhile, McGregor's return is highly anticipated after a five-year layoff.
