Belal Muhammad Backs Max Holloway in UFC 329 Rematch After McGregor’s 5-Year Layoff
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 7
Belal Muhammad Backs Max Holloway in UFC 329 Rematch After McGregor’s 5-Year Layoff
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 7
Summary
Belal Muhammad picked Max Holloway to beat Conor McGregor at UFC 329, saying Holloway’s activity and cardio give him the edge in their rematch nearly 13 years after their first meeting.
Muhammad said Holloway’s best route is to survive McGregor’s first 3 to 5 minutes, avoid the left hand, mix in clinches or takedowns, and raise his volume once the fight reaches later rounds.
He argued McGregor’s long layoff, added muscle and move to a higher weight class could worsen the cardio issues that showed up earlier in his career, even if the former champion returns focused.
Muhammad still sees a clear McGregor path: go all-in early for a knockout, pointing to Ilia Topuria’s stoppage of Holloway at UFC 308 as proof Holloway can be finished.