Max Holloway says he’s preparing for a potential Conor McGregor comeback, while also reflecting on his loss to Charles Oliveira.
Conor McGregor may be back in the spotlight again, but Max Holloway isn’t watching from the sidelines. Holloway has made it clear that training is underway for what could become their next clash, framing the possible bout as his next step in a revenge-driven stretch.
For Holloway, the motivation goes beyond rivalry and reputation.. He has repeatedly suggested that when someone gets the chance to beat him. he wants that result overturned. with McGregor positioned as the priority as talk grows about an expanded comeback.. He also pointed to McGregor’s recent public activity as evidence that the former champion is taking any return seriously.
Why it matters: In a sport built on momentum, the idea of Holloway preparing for a marquee rematch adds pressure to every other storyline, turning training camp talk into instant audience fuel.
Meanwhile, Holloway’s hunt for McGregor is coming right after his more complicated night in the Octagon against Charles Oliveira.. The rematch energy didn’t erase the reality of that defeat. particularly the way Oliveira used control and grappling to swing the fight’s rhythm. even as Holloway kept facing a wave of online debate.
In the aftermath, Holloway resisted turning his loss into excuses.. Instead. he leaned into a familiar competitive mindset: if people focus on the shortcomings. he wants his next performance to do the talking.. He also addressed criticism directed at his wrestling, treating it as something he intends to earnestly answer rather than negotiate.
Why it matters: Losses like this tend to reshape public narratives around fighters, and Holloway’s response shows how athletes try to reset their image fast, especially in a division where fan opinion moves quickly.
Holloway’s focus, however, isn’t limited to one opponent. His wider comeback campaign includes the broader goal of getting back in the mix and pushing attention away from the previous result, while also honoring what makes fights so demanding compared with other sports.
Beyond the cage, he’s also leaning into a different kind of visibility: Holloway is the cover star for the next UFC video game Ultimate Edition. For him, that crossover moment reflects a lifelong dream, adding another layer to why a big, high-stakes fight matters right now.
Why it matters: When a fighter blends competitive urgency with mainstream reach, it can amplify interest in whichever matchup forms next, and it turns “what’s next?” into a shared cultural conversation rather than a niche sporting question.