Conor McGregor is set to return to the UFC after five years away, with his rematch against Max Holloway confirmed last weekend.
The fight will headline International Fight Week, bringing 'The Notorious' back against an opponent he defeated by unanimous decision in 2013.
This time, the situation is very different. Holloway has remained active, while McGregor has not fought since his 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Former UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal gave a blunt prediction on UFC's Deep Waters show when asked about McGregor's chances.
"I think Max smokes him like a brisket," 'Gamebred' said.
When asked what the odds should be, Masvidal doubled down on Holloway's advantage.
"Three-to-one [in favour of] Max," he stated.
The rest of the Deep Waters cast largely agreed. Din Thomas, Chris Weidman and Dustin Poirier all viewed Holloway as the clear favourite.
Their reasoning centred on McGregor's inactivity and the difficulty of returning after such a long break, especially against a fighter as durable as Holloway.
Masvidal's view may sound harsh, but it reflects the wider feeling around the matchup. The Irishman remains dangerous, yet Holloway enters with momentum and far fewer questions.
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