Conor McGregor explains ‘tactical reason’ he pushed for weight stipulation in Max Holloway UFC 329 fight

Conor McGregor insists that he pushed to fight Max Holloway at 170lbs as he believes it will hand him a significant advantage.

McGregor and Holloway will meet in a blockbuster rematch at 170lbs at UFC 329 in Las Vegas next week.

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It will be the Irish superstar’s first outing in the octagon in five years, and he will look to reverse form that sees him with just one UFC victory since 2018.

For ‘The Notorious’, it will be his fourth appearance at welterweight, with his two fights against Nate Diaz and victory over Donald Cerrone at the weight.

Whereas for the Hawaii native, it will be his first experience moving up to a career-high weight, having lost to McGregor at featherweight in 2013.

And McGregor pushed for the stipulation to try and boost his chances given his inactivity.

McGregor explained to Joe Rogan in a pre-fight interview: “There’s also a tactical reason, Joe.

“See, I have the advantage in experience at 170lbs.

“If I look at Holloway’s body of work in recent years, he’s been in there a lot.

“However, he hasn’t been at 170lbs. So that is in my favour and that is also why I done it.”

Holloway’s response to 170lbs weight clause

For the 34-year-old Holloway, he is looking to bounce back from defeat to Charles Oliveira at 155lbs.

And he isn’t worried about his chances of doing so despite an increase in weight.

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He said: “My thoughts on the fight being at 170 was like, who cares?

“Weight is just a number. Real gladiators back in the day, they didn’t walk around with a scale.

“You show up and you fight, and I’m a fighter.

“Open weight class, whatever weight class. I’m glad I get to share the Octagon with him.”

McGregor’s preparations

It has been a turbulent period for McGregor who is now in the thick of a full and complete training camp.

The UFC’s biggest commercial draw has had to take special precautions to prepare for the worst if he is to again get injured in the fight.

UFC schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.

McGregor last fought in a trilogy clash with Dustin Poirier which saw him break his leg, and he will hope he can put that behind him.

Victory for McGregor could set up some big fights including with 155lbs champion Justin Gaethje, who plans to sit cageside.