Max Holloway Says He 'Technically Beat' Conor McGregor as UFC 329 Looms on July 11

Q: Did Justin Gaethje's grueling title win prove he's ready for a Holloway rematch, or did it take too much from him?

Gaethje’s title win showed he is absolutely worthy of a Holloway rematch, but it also appears to have taken enough out of him to delay it. The case for readiness is strong. Gaethje’s fourth-round stoppage of Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 was widely described as an elite, championship-level performance. He survived serious danger, adjusted, and then broke down an undefeated two-division champion with pressure, timing and durability. Holloway himself praised the performance as gutsy and disciplined, even while dismissing Gaethje’s claim that beating Topuria somehow “got back” the knockout loss from UFC 300. In competitive terms, Gaethje proved he remains one of the division’s toughest and most dangerous fighters. The concern is the physical cost. The Topuria fight was a punishing, fight-of-the-year-level battle, and Gaethje was handed a 180-day medical suspension tied to wrist and knee issues, though it could be reduced with medical clearance. Even if shortened, the suspension and mandatory rest period make an immediate turnaround unrealistic. That matters if Holloway beats Conor McGregor at UFC 329 and wants to move quickly into a lightweight title shot. So the answer is both. Gaethje’s win proved he still has the skill, toughness and championship form to justify a Holloway rematch. But the damage from that performance likely means the rematch is more viable as a later booking than an immediate one.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 3

Max Holloway mocked Justin Gaethje's claim that beating Ilia Topuria avenged his UFC 300 loss, saying that logic means Holloway "technically" already beat Conor McGregor through Dustin Poirier.
Gaethje made the remark after improving to 28-5 and handing Topuria his first loss at UFC Freedom 250 to win the undisputed lightweight title Holloway now hopes to challenge for.
July 11 at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, Holloway faces McGregor in the Irish star's first UFC fight since 2021, with Holloway saying an exciting win could earn him a shot at Gaethje's 155-pound belt.
Holloway also floated a possible 170-pound opportunity against Islam Makhachev, but said the UFC will decide his next move if he gets past McGregor.

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Max Holloway Mocks Justin Gaethje's Logic, Claims "Technically Beat Conor McGregor"

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Max Holloway addresses Justin Gaethje's claim that he avenged UFC 300 loss by defeating Ilia Topuria

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Max Holloway Says He 'Technically Beat' Conor McGregor as UFC 329 Looms on July 11

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