Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway Rematch Attracts Attention From Justin Gaethje Ahead of UFC 329

UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje reveals that he will be in attendance at UFC 329, looking closely at Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway.

Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway Rematch Attracts Attention From Justin Gaethje Ahead of UFC 329

Justin Gaethje eyes Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway (via Instagram)

Conor McGregor’s return against Max Holloway is one of the most anticipated UFC events in recent times, drawing massive attention. The Irishman is set to return to the Octagon after five years away from competition, marking a long-awaited comeback. His UFC 329 headliner has now also caught the attention of newly crowned lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who has confirmed he will attend the event.

McGregor remains the sport’s biggest attraction despite his last win coming in 2020 against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246. There was also heavy speculation around a potential return at the White House event, with McGregor himself campaigning strongly for a spot on that card. However, that plan did not materialize, as he was instead officially announced to face Holloway in the main event of UFC 329.

Gaethje finally won the undisputed lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250 after a standout performance against Ilia Topuria to capture the championship. McGregor has since hinted at potentially turning his attention to Gaethje if he secures a win at UFC 329 against Holloway. This development has added intrigue and prompted the newly crowned champion to comment on the speculation.

As I’ve said hundreds of times publicly, I would love to punch Conor McGregor in the face. I’m excited about that fight. I’m excited to be there and watch it. There’s no doubt that he’s one of the biggest superstars in the sport. Fighting a guy like that obviously does great things for me financially and for my legacy and legendary status.

Justin Gaethje via The Jim Rome Show

Holloway previously faced Gaethje at UFC 300 in one of the most memorable fights in recent UFC history. The Hawaiian superstar produced a stunning last-second knockout to claim the BMF title. The dramatic finish is widely regarded as one of the greatest knockouts ever seen inside the Octagon.

McGregor recently revisited that moment while taking shots at both Gaethje and Holloway ahead of UFC 329. The Irishman also referenced his first meeting with Holloway in 2013, when he defeated the ‘Blessed’ by unanimous decision. His remarks added another layer of intrigue to their long-awaited rematch.

Gaethje and McGregor have been at each other’s throats for years, with tensions escalating after ‘The Highlight’ knocked out Dustin Poirier with a head kick at UFC 291. McGregor soon turned his attention toward the American star. The rivalry quickly spilled onto social media through repeated callouts.

The champion is now looking forward to potentially facing the winner of UFC 329 as the division continues to take shape. However, Ilia Topuria has already called for an immediate rematch after losing his title. The Spaniard is currently serving a 180-day medical suspension, delaying any possible return.

However, ‘The Highlight’ has shut down plans for an immediate rematch with Topuria following his dominant win at UFC Freedom 250. With the champion eyeing fresh challengers instead, the long-awaited Justin Gaethje versus Conor McGregor fight could finally become a reality after UFC 329.

RELATED
Conor McGregor Eyes Justin Gaethje Title Fight If UFC 329 Return Goes to Plan

Conor McGregor believes the UFC should continue spending more on big events

Under Dana White‘s leadership, the UFC has delivered two of the biggest events in MMA history within just a few years. The promotion has invested heavily in creating unprecedented spectacles beyond traditional fight cards. Its ambitious approach has continued to raise the standard for marquee events.

The first came with UFC 306 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, which carried an estimated production budget of nearly $20 million. More recently, the promotion staged its largest event in history, UFC Freedom 250, at the White House. That historic card reportedly operated with an estimated budget of around $60 million.

Conor McGregor boast achievement
Conor McGregor (via BJ Penn)

Conor McGregor has headlined some of the biggest events in UFC history. His UFC 229 clash against Khabib Nurmagomedov generated nearly 2.4 million PPV buys, setting the all-time UFC record. The blockbuster also produced one of the largest live gates, $17,188,895, from an attendance of 20,034 fans.

‘The Notorious One’ remains the UFC’s biggest commercial attraction. McGregor has featured in four of the five highest-selling pay-per-view events in company history. That unmatched drawing power led to his recent comments about the UFC investing more in blockbuster events.

I wanna do a stadium or something. I hope we start doing extraordinary events going forward. They should break the bank a little bit. They’ve got, what, $1.1 billion, $1.4 billion in cash profit after last year? There should be live music at every show. There should be a full spectacle every show. Break the bank on it. That’s where the bread is buttered. We want Super Bowl numbers every week, not just once every three years.

Conor McGregor via The Ariel Helwani Show

Dana White has acknowledged that the UFC cannot afford to stage another White House event on the same scale because of its enormous cost. However, Conor McGregor’s unmatched drawing power could be the one factor capable of justifying another blockbuster production.

Also Read: