UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is backing Conor McGregor to deliver a vintage finish in his comeback fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329.
McGregor is set to face Holloway in a welterweight main event on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, returning to competition after five years away. The matchup is a rematch of their 2013 bout, which McGregor won using grappling.
"I've watched a couple of his interviews recently; he seems in a really good place," Aspinall said, adding, "When McGregor is in form, he's absolutely unreal. He's beat Max Holloway before. Max Holloway, in my opinion, (is a) really, really good fighter, one of the best ever. Didn't look great in his last fight."
Holloway was heavily outgrappled by Charles Oliveira at UFC 326, and Aspinall believes that could shape how McGregor approaches the rematch. "Did not look great againstCharles Oliveiraat all. He looked like he was kind of questioning whether he wanted to be there or not at points, but he was fighting a grappler. So, when it's all striking, which it probably will be with McGregor, his striking IQ is so good. Doesn't get hit much, but in the first fight, McGregor grappled him. He might grapple him again."
Aspinall came away encouraged by McGregor’s recent demeanor. "I was very impressed with what he was talking about and how calm he seemed and how focused he seemed," he said, before giving his official pick: "I know it's just an interview, it doesn't really mean anything, but he's up against it against an active guy like Max Holloway. The thing is that power doesn't leave. He needs one shot, and it could be over. I'm more favoring towards a McGregor win to be honest. ... I think Conor McGregor, Round 1 knockout. I think he's going to land the big left bomber on him."
