Morning Report | Dustin Poirier breaks down Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2: ‘Five years is a long time’

Dustin Poirier has weighed in on Conor McGregor's upcoming rematch with Max Holloway, and the assessment is not optimistic for the Irish fighter. McGregor is set to return to the octagon for the first time in five years at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas, facing Holloway in a rematch of their 2013 encounter—a fight McGregor won before either fighter became a UFC champion.

Poirier, who has faced both men multiple times during his UFC career, believes McGregor's path to victory has become significantly narrower. In their first fight, McGregor demonstrated a complete mixed martial arts arsenal, mixing striking with wrestling and leg kicks to secure the victory. However, Poirier questions whether that strategy will work in 2024. "Conor's not that kind of wrestler," Poirier said on Deep Waters, "and he doesn't have the gas tank." The concern centers on McGregor's cardio conditioning; if he attempts to wrestle Holloway without securing immediate takedowns, later rounds could see him severely gassed, particularly at 170 pounds.

Holloway has evolved considerably since their first meeting, now possessing both refined cardio and increased striking power—the hallmark of a volume striker. Poirier also noted that recent opponent Charles Oliveira's success against Holloway relied on body locks and clinch work rather than traditional wrestling, a style McGregor is unlikely to replicate. "Five years is a long time," Poirier emphasized. McGregor is returning from a catastrophic leg injury suffered at UFC 264 in 2021, while Holloway has remained active and tested against elite-level competition throughout that span. The gap in activity, combined with stylistic mismatches, leaves Poirier skeptical of McGregor's prospects.