Get ready for the main event of the century, folks! This Sunday, Max Holloway takes on the Notorious One, Conor McGregor, in a battle that promises to be one of the most electrifying clashes in MMA history. The 34-year-old Hawaiian phenom has been a UFC stalwart since his debut back in 2012, racking up an impressive record that cements his status as one of the organisation's all-time greats – and yet, he often flies under the radar when it comes to discussions about the sport's greatest fighters.
Holloway's journey began at just 20 years young, making him the youngest gun in the UFC locker room when he stepped into the Octagon against Dustin Poirier. What a calculated risk that proved to be for the promotion! Since then, he's been an absolute workhorse, churning out win after win and consistently delivering for the fans. This weekend's showdown at the T-Mobile Arena will be his 32nd under the UFC banner – and what a testament it is to his enduring appeal that he's set to headline his 15th main event! Only four other fighters – Anderson Silva (21), Jon Jones (19), Randy Couture (18), and Tito Ortiz (16) – have topped more bills in the UFC.
Across his 32 fights, Holloway boasts an incredible 23 wins and has competed in a whopping eight title bouts. He snatched the interim featherweight strap in 2016, then unified it with a thumping win over Jose Aldo the following year. Those were the days! After two successful title defences, he briefly ventured into the lightweight division – but ultimately came up short against Dustin Poirier in a rematch that ended his remarkable five-year, 13-fight win streak. Although he lost his undisputed featherweight crown to Alexander Volkanovski in 2019 and has since fallen short in three further title bids, Holloway's relentless pursuit of championship gold has guaranteed his status as one of the sport's biggest draws.
And now, as he makes his welterweight debut this weekend – having contested three of his last four fights at lightweight – Holloway's legacy in the featherweight division remains an unassailable mountain to climb. He holds the record for most wins (20) and most finishes (11) in the category, is tied for second-most fights (27), boasts the longest win streak (13), and ranks third for most title fight wins (5). His fan-friendly, high-output striking style – think: endless gas tank, blistering pace, and devastating power – has earned him 12 knockout finishes, including that jaw-dropping 'KO of the century' against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. And did you know he's also got records for most significant strikes attempted and most significant body strikes landed in a fight? Talk about setting the bar high!
Despite all these mind-boggling stats and the respect he commands from fellow fighters like Lone'er Kavanagh, who calls him a long-time inspiration, Holloway's name is inexplicably absent from those 'Mount Rushmore' discussions among MMA fans. A victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 329 would undoubtedly silence his critics once and for all – but will it be enough to cement his status as an all-time great in the eyes of the MMA faithful?