Max Holloway Laughs Off Conor McGregor’s Excuses After UFC 329 Flop

The Big Fight That Wasn’t

Imagine waiting all year for the biggest playground showdown, only for it to end before you can blink. That’s basically what happened at UFC 329 when Max Holloway and Conor McGregor finally met again in the octagon.

Nearly 16 million people across the U.S. and Latin America tuned in for what was supposed to be an epic main event during International Fight Week. Instead, they got the shortest "fight" in recent memory.

What Actually Happened at UFC 329

Here’s the play-by-play of the disaster:

1. Spectacular entrances – Both fighters made elaborate walks to the cage with dry ice effects and big production
2. First move – McGregor threw one single kick to start the fight
3. Instant injury – McGregor hurt himself on that very first kick
4. Game over – The referee waved it off just over a minute later
5. No contest – The fight ended with zero meaningful action

Important Point: This wasn’t a fight – it was a freak accident that robbed fans of the showdown they paid to see.

McGregor’s Excuses vs. Holloway’s Reality Check

After the embarrassing finish, McGregor went on what Holloway calls a "crisis management tour." Here’s what each side is saying:

McGregor’s Claims:

• Wants the fight ruled a "no contest" (like it never happened)
• Says the dry ice made the floor slippery
• Promises a "generational beating" next year
• Claims he was dominating before the injury

Holloway’s Response (and he’s not holding back):

"It’s just crazy for the dude to be talking about how it was slippery because of the dry ice. I don’t know what he’s talking about because I didn’t fall."

Holloway’s brutally honest assessment:

• "Dude is delusional" about the "generational beating" talk
• "He felt slow in there. He looked old."
• If anyone was getting beat, "it wasn’t gonna be on his end"

Holloway’s Three Paths Forward

"Blessed" isn’t waiting around. He has three clear options for his next move:

Option 1: Welterweight Title Shot

• Move up to 170 lbs and fight for the championship
• "If it’s a title shot… sign ya boy up"

Option 2: Lightweight Title Shot

• Drop to 155 lbs and challenge for that belt
• "In either weight class, sign ya boy up"

Option 3: The McGregor Trilogy (Round 3)

• Complete the trilogy with McGregor (they’re 1-1)
• "If it’s a Conor McGregor fight again, I’ll sign the dotted line"
• Bonus demand: "UFC, I’m owed the Conor McGregor belt, the money belt, so you guys gotta send me that"

Money Talk: When Holloway says "money belt," he means the biggest payday fight the UFC can offer – and McGregor is still the biggest draw in the sport.

Summary

UFC 329 was a massive letdown for 16 million viewers. McGregor injured himself on his very first kick, ending the fight in under 60 seconds. Now McGregor is making excuses (slippery floor, "generational beating" coming next year), but Holloway isn’t buying any of it. He says McGregor looked slow and old, and he’s ready for whatever’s next – whether that’s a title shot at welterweight, lightweight, or the trilogy fight with McGregor. Either way, Holloway wants his "money belt" payday.

FAQ

Why did the fight end so fast?

A: Conor McGregor threw one kick at the start, immediately injured himself (likely a leg/ankle injury), and couldn’t continue. The referee stopped it about a minute in.

What’s a "no contest" ruling?

A: It means the fight officially doesn’t count – like erasing it from the record books. No winner, no loser. McGregor wants this because he didn’t technically "lose" by knockout or submission.

Have Holloway and McGregor fought before?

A: Yes! This was supposed to be their third fight (trilogy). McGregor won their first fight in 2013 (featherweight), and Holloway has since become a legend at 145 lbs. They never fought at lightweight until this attempted rematch.

What does Holloway mean by "money belt"?

A: It’s not a real championship belt. It means "the fight that makes the most money." McGregor fights = huge pay-per-view numbers = biggest paychecks for everyone involved.

Why does Holloway think he deserves a title shot?

A: Holloway is a former featherweight champion and one of the greatest 145-lb fighters ever. He’s beaten almost everyone at that weight and has looked great in recent fights at lightweight. He’s earned a crack at gold in either division.