Jose Aldo Breaks Down Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway Rematch at UFC 329
Having shared the Octagon with both men, the former featherweight champion offered his take on one of the year's biggest fights.
UFC 329 is just around the corner and will feature one of the most anticipated fights of the year. Scheduled to take place on July 11 in Las Vegas, the main event will see former featherweight champions Conor McGregor and Max Holloway meet in a rematch.
Having shared the Octagon and lost his featherweight title to both fighters, Jose Aldo knows "Notorious" and "Blessed" better than most. Just days before the bout, the Brazilian offered his analysis of the matchup.
Jose Aldo Sees Holloway as the Favorite
McGregor hasn't stepped inside the Octagon in almost five years. The Irishman has not competed since suffering a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier after breaking his leg in July 2021. During that same span, Holloway has fought eight times, most recently losing a unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira in March. Because of the difference in activity, Aldo believes Blessed enters the fight with the edge.
"The favorite is Max Holloway," Jose Aldo began in an interview with covers.com. "Not because he's vastly superior, but because he's still active. He's fighting regularly, coming off strong performances and staying in competition mode. Conor is an unknown quantity. We haven't seen him fight in a very long time. We don't know where his conditioning, timing or confidence are at. That's why I put Max one step ahead,"
Conor McGregor Remains Dangerous
Although Aldo sees Holloway as the favorite, he is far from counting McGregor out. According to the Brazilian, the Irishman still possesses the striking ability, technical skills and knockout power to beat anyone inside the Octagon. Aldo knows that better than most, having lost his featherweight title to McGregor by knockout in just 13 seconds.
"That doesn't mean Conor can't go in there and knock him out," Aldo continued. "That can absolutely happen. Conor is still a world-class striker, with experience, power and the technical tools to win any fight."
McGregor and Holloway first met in 2013, when the Irishman earned a unanimous decision victory before either man became a UFC champion. More than a decade later, they will headline UFC 329 in one of the most anticipated rematches in recent UFC history.
