Michael Chiesa sees big things for Max Holloway if he’s victorious at UFC 329.
Holloway (27-9 MMA, 23-9 UFC) welcomes Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) back in a rematch, which headlines the July 11 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (Paramount+).
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Although their fight is at welterweight, McGregor remains the sport’s biggest star. That’s why Chiesa thinks a win over McGregor could lead to a title shot for Holloway at lightweight.
“There is a world where Max Holloway beats Conor McGregor and fights Justin Gaethje next,” Chiesa told MMA Junkie. “If Max beats Conor, that leaves Max and Charles (Oliveira) and Arman (Tsarukyan) in this three-man race to see who fights Justin next. I think Justin, if he had a choice, Charles would be at the bottom of that list. I think he would want the Max Holloway fight back.
“If I was to guess, for a sense of pride, I want to get the guy back that knocked me out over the guy that submitted me. The guy that knocked me out and had this viral moments at 4:59 of Round 5 at the biggest UFC event in history aside from the White House – I want that fight back. If it was the case it would be a rematch with Max if it was an option, then Arman and Charles in that order. If Conor beats Max, I don’t know how Conor would match up initially that three-man race.”
Holloway knocked out newly crowned lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) in the last second of their UFC 300 main event. Gaethje has since rebounded with three-straight wins – including a massive upset to dethrone Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250.
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Chiesa also highlighted how much pressure is on sizable favorite Holloway taking on an unknown version of McGregor, who’s coming back from a five-year long layoff and a gruesome leg break.
“There could be a heaping load of pressure on his shoulders because of Conor’s comeback, and no one is really talking about Max,” Chiesa said. “It’s crazy to think about. Max Holloway is a superstar – 99 percent of the time, he’s the A-side of a fight, just on his name alone. It’s crazy there’s so much talk on Conor.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Michael Chiesa on what a win over Conor McGregor does for Max Holloway
