"Big name for our sport" - Islam Makhachev acknowledges Conor McGregor's stardom
Islam Makhachev has long feuded with Conor McGregor, an archrival of his teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nevertheless, Makhachev has now highlighted McGregor's star power and given his pick for the UFC 329 headliner.
Conor McGregor is widely regarded as one of the most famous and polarizing athletes, not only in the combat sports realm but across all sports and beyond. He's all set to fight Max Holloway at UFC 329.
"The Notorious" one has made more than a few notable rivals over the course of his long and storied run in the UFC MMA organization.
One such rival happens to be ex-UFC Lightweight Champion and reigning UFC Welterweight Champion, Islam Makhachev. That said, Makhachev has now surprisingly heaped some rare praise on McGregor.
Islam Makhachev talks Conor McGregor's star power, picks winner of his upcoming UFC 329 fight with Max Holloway
Islam Makhachev is considered to be one of the most talented protégés of undefeated MMA great and former UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Both fighters honed their MMA skills in their native Dagestan and eventually made it to the UFC.
Back in October 2018, Nurmagomedov solidified his legacy by submitting archrival Conor McGregor in the fourth round of their UFC lightweight title fight. Their teams even clashed in a post-fight brawl.
Although Nurmagomedov retired from MMA in late 2020, he and Makhachev have time and again traded barbs with McGregor. The Dubliner's rivalry with the Dagestani UFC stars has simply refused to end.
Nevertheless, Makhachev now seems to have directed laudation toward McGregor during a recent conversation with UFC on TNT Sports. Upon being asked about what his reaction was to the announcement of McGregor's return to MMA, Makhachev stated:
"Yeah. It's good. It's good. Big name for our sport." Additionally, giving his pick for McGregor vs. Holloway, Makhachev said, "But he have tough opponent. Max Holloway against Conor. I think Max can beat him."
Watch Islam Makhachev discuss Conor McGregor's comeback below:
Islam Makhachev says Conor McGregor's return is good for the sport but is picking Max Holloway to defeat him 👀#UFC329 | Stream TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/RenE6Tz5nO
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) May 31, 2026
Conor McGregor has been away from MMA competition since UFC 264
Conor McGregor is 2-3 in his past five professional mixed martial arts bouts, all five of which transpired in the UFC. His most recent octagon outing was a trilogy match against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.
McGregor, who's a former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, suffered a mid-fight leg injury in the aforementioned matchup against Poirier. "Mystic Mac" thereby ended up losing the fight via TKO.
Moreover, McGregor subsequently underwent extensive rehabilitation for the injury. He was also rumored to be returning to MMA competition multiple times in the ensuing years, including a fight against Michael Chandler in 2024, but none of his fights materialized.
McGregor holds a unanimous decision win over ex-BMF champion and ex-UFC featherweight titleholder Max Holloway from their days back in the featherweight division in 2013. Currently, McGregor is scheduled to face Holloway in a rematch, this time in the welterweight division, at UFC 329 on July 11.
