Islam Makhachev believes Conor McGregor‘s imminent return to the cage is good for the sport, but is backing Max Holloway to get the job done.
McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg in a first round defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 five years ago. The Irishman – who turns 38 just three days after his clash with Holloway on July 11 – last tasted success in the cage in 2020 – a 44 second victory of Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.
The Dublin scrapper was due to make his comeback two years ago against Michael Chandler, but was forced to pull out due to injury. Since then, many have remained sceptical as to whether or not the ‘Notorious’ would ever fight again. However, after his welterweight dust-up with Holloway was announced, many were quick to offer their verdict.
One man who will be watching is the 170lb champion, Makhachev. The Dagestani witnessed McGregor loss to long-time training partner and friend Khabib Nurmagomedov back in 2018, and their bitter feud still runs deep even to this day.
FOLLOW OUR FIGHTING FB PAGE! Latest boxing and MMA news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Makhachev insists his rival’s comeback is great for the sport, but is backing Holloway to get the job done next month. “Yeah, it’s good, it’s good,” the welterweight champion told UFC on TNT Sports. “(He’s) a big name in our sport, but he has a tough opponent. Max Holloway against Conor, I think Max can beat him.”
McGregor is no stranger when it comes to fighting at welterweight, and it could end up working in his favour on fight night. The 37-year-old famously fought Nate Diaz twice at the aforementioned weight class, while his last win inside the octagon over Cerrone came at 170lb.
Holloway, on the other hand, has largely fought at featherweight throughout his career. The former 145lb titleholder has since moved up to lightweight, but has now been tasked with fighting at welterweight – a division he is very unfamiliar with.
But popular UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes ‘Blessed’ will be raring to go this summer as his recent activity inside the cage will allow him to be in perfect shape for his fight with McGregor. “This Conor McGregor fight in July is gonna be bananas, it’s gonna be bananas. People are gonna go crazy for the return of Conor McGregor because he’s a giant personality,“ he said.
Article continues below
“How could we (expect the same McGregor), he hasn’t fought in five years. Five f****** years ago. The thing is about Max Holloway, is that he isn’t that much younger than Conor, but Max has been in constant high level competition the entire time.
“He won the BMF title, beat Dustin (Poirier), constant high level competition, it’s a different thing. This is 170lbs, which is even better, no weight cutting at all. And also, knowing this is such a high profile fight, he’s going to be in f****** insane shape.”
