Former UFC double champion Daniel Cormier has expressed his doubts that Conor McGregor’s motivation alone will be enough to defeat Max Holloway on July 11.
McGregor, who has been sidelined for nearly five years due to a severe leg injury sustained in his 2021 trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier, is slated to make his return to the octagon at UFC 329 against Holloway. This welterweight bout will mark McGregor’s first appearance at 170 pounds.
Despite McGregor’s intense training regimen leading up to the rematch, concerns linger among fans regarding his extended absence from competition and the potential for ring rust. Cormier shares these concerns.
Daniel Cormier believes that McGregor will undoubtedly be highly focused and motivated for UFC 329. However, he emphasizes that motivation alone does not guarantee victory. “The Notorious” has been inactive for approximately half a decade, while Max Holloway has continuously evolved and secured wins against formidable opponents on the UFC roster.
During a conversation with Josh Thomson, Cormier stated:
“My thinking is we’ll see a Conor McGregor who is as focused and committed as he has ever been. I’m not sure if, given the injuries, the time away, the weight fluctuations, and now the weight loss, that Conor McGregor, even with more motivation than ever, will be enough to defeat a Max Holloway. I’m not making a prediction, I’m just stating it. But also, you don’t get better at something by not doing it. That’s just the reality. You can train as hard as you want, but at the end of the day, it’s still been about five years since he was last in an octagon.”
Dustin Poirier: McGregor’s Power Remains a Threat, but Timing is Key Against Holloway
Dustin Poirier believes that despite a five-year layoff, Conor McGregor will retain his formidable punching power when he faces Max Holloway. Consequently, Poirier sees a genuine opportunity for McGregor to stop Holloway.
Holloway has been knocked down in recent fights, and after a long career filled with stand-up battles, questions have arisen about the durability of his chin. Speaking on the WEIGHING IN podcast, Poirier commented:
“I think the punching power will be there regardless. I think Conor will come back from the injury and still have that natural punching power. The question for me is the timing, the athleticism, the movement. All those questions need to be answered. If his counter-punching and his timing are anywhere near what they were, he has a chance to beat Max… Conor can punch, man. No matter how long he has been out, he still has a great equalizer, and that’s power. Some guys are born with it.”
