Max Holloway just stepped on the scales at 170lb, officially completing his welterweight transformation for the massive UFC 329 rematch against Conor McGregor. This isn't the featherweight Holloway we've known for most of his 36-fight career; this is a new beast making his welterweight debut, and it's making Saturday's showdown in Las Vegas feel absolutely electric.
A Transformed Holloway Meets a Controversial McGregor
The Holloway we're about to see is a fighter who has been evolving. While he's got 27 wins under his belt, his past two bouts were up at lightweight, where he snatched the BMF title from Dustin Poirier before losing it to Charles Oliveira in March. Now, he's shedding those pounds for a bigger challenge in the welterweight division. McGregor, on the other hand, hasn't seen action since his leg break against Dustin Poirier back in 2021. The 37-year-old has been in the headlines more for court cases and missed drug tests than for fighting, leaving critics to question if he even deserves this spotlight. At Friday's news conference, McGregor went full showman, ripping Holloway's glasses off before their face-off. But at the official weigh-in at T-Mobile Arena, while fans packed the house greeting Holloway with a mix of cheers and boos, there was no physical contact as the two shared an intense stare down. Holloway hit the mark at 170lb, with McGregor a mere 0.5lb heavier. After being pulled apart, Holloway had one final, chilling message before leaving the stage, and honestly, it tells you everything: "I'm to ferocious, I'm too relentless. I'll see you tomorrow night."Beyond the Main Event: Title Shots and Boxing Teases
UFC 329 isn't just about the main event, though. The card is stacked with other fights that could shake up their divisions. Lightweight Paddy Pimblett, with his 23 wins and four defeats, weighed in at 156lb, matching his opponent Benoit Saint-Denis. The winner of that brawl is set to be right in the mix for a shot at lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, and you could feel the energy as Pimblett raced onto the stage, all smiles, encouraging the crowd. Flyweight Lone'er Kavanagh, boasting a 10-1 record, came in at 126lb, a pound heavier than his opponent Brandon Royval. A win here could put Kavanagh in contention for a flyweight title bout. Plus, Luke Riley, an undefeated 13-0 pro, is opening the preliminary card in his third UFC fight, weighing 146lb against Kai Kamaka III. Off to the side, rumors are flying about a boxing match between WBA welterweight champion Ryan Garcia and Briton Conor Benn. They were both on stage with UFC chiefs, alongside four-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson, who just signed with Zuffa Boxing. It’s clear Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, backed by Saudi funding, is looking to make big moves, with Tyson Fury even hinting at a "massive announcement" last month. Tomorrow night, we get to see if Max Holloway's welterweight transformation truly makes him "ferocious" and "relentless" enough to handle McGregor. It's going to be a wild one.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.