Former UFC double champion Daniel Cormier suggests that Conor McGregor’s motivation alone may not be sufficient for him to defeat Max Holloway on July 11.
McGregor, who has been sidelined for nearly five years following a severe leg injury sustained in his 2021 trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier, is slated to make his return to the octagon in July at UFC 302. He will face Holloway in a welterweight bout, marking McGregor’s debut in the 170-pound division.
Despite McGregor’s dedicated training regimen leading up to the rematch, fans express concern over his extended absence from competition and the potential for ring rust. Cormier shares these concerns.
Daniel Cormier believes McGregor will display immense focus and motivation at UFC 302, but emphasizes that these qualities alone do not guarantee victory. McGregor has been inactive for almost half a decade, while Max Holloway has continued to compete and overcome formidable opponents.
During an interview 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 peak motivation, is enough to defeat a Max Holloway. That’s not a prediction, I’m just voicing my thoughts. Furthermore, you don’t improve at something by not doing it. That’s simply the reality. You can train as hard as you want, but ultimately, it’s been about five years since he last stepped into an octagon.”
Dustin Poirier believes Conor McGregor possesses innate “power” and could potentially knock out Max Holloway if “The Notorious” returns with competent timing.
Poirier thinks that even after a five-year layoff, McGregor will retain his punching power when he faces Holloway. Consequently, Poirier believes the Dubliner has a genuine chance to stop Holloway.
Holloway has been knocked down in recent fights, and after a long career involving many striking exchanges, there are questions about the resilience of his chin. Speaking on the WEIGHING IN podcast, Poirier commented:
“I believe the punching power will remain regardless. I think Conor will recover from the injury and still possess that natural punching power. For me, the crucial elements are timing and athleticism, along with his movement. All these aspects need to be evaluated. If his counter-striking and timing are anywhere near their previous levels, he has a chance to defeat Max… Conor can punch, man. Regardless of how long he’s been out, he still has a great equalizer, which is power. Some individuals are born with it.”