Max Holloway says his upcoming clash with Conor McGregor at UFC 329 on July 11 could be the key to a future rematch with Justin Gaethje for the undisputed lightweight title.
Holloway is set to face McGregor in the main event, while Gaethje — now the undisputed lightweight champion after defeating Ilia Topuria at the UFC White House card — has already stated he plans to sit front row and would like to fight McGregor next.
Holloway, who previously knocked out Gaethje at UFC 300, reacted to Gaethje’s recent comments about avenging that defeat. “I saw [Justin Gaethje] saying, too, and I had no idea about if you [get a win] somebody [else], you beat them,” Holloway said. “Technically, I beat Conor McGregor because I bust Dustin [Poirier], if that’s what he’s saying. At the end of the day, all jokes aside, it is what it is.”
Despite their history, Holloway praised Gaethje’s championship-winning performance. “Congrats to Justin. He went out there, he looked good, he stuck to his game plan. He fought really smart. He took calculated risks. It paid off. Even surviving that body shot. What a demon. Congrats to the champ.”
With Gaethje eyeing the winner and Holloway locked in on McGregor, the former featherweight champion summed up his mindset for UFC 329: “I’m focused on doing what I’ve got to do, get my hand raised in great fashion come July 11. Whatever way the UFC wants to go, we go… If you told me I was going to fight Conor McGregor after my last fight, you’re crazy but we’re here now. Days away. I can’t wait.”
