Conor McGregor lauds "the real deal" Max Holloway after Ilia Topuria mocks 'Blessed' for losing to the Irishman: "Always was, always is"

Conor McGregor has added fuel to the fire between UFC featherweights Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria ahead of their UFC 308 title bout. The highly anticipated championship fight, set for October 26, 2024, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, has seen tensions rise as the fighters exchange words outside the cage.

Topuria recently mocked Holloway for losing to McGregor back in 2013 at UFC Fight Night 26. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, 'El Matador' called attention to Holloway’s defeat, where McGregor earned a unanimous decision victory against the then-21-year-old.

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Despite Topuria’s taunts, McGregor stepped in to defend his former opponent, praising Holloway’s growth since their encounter. Taking to social media, McGregor called Holloway “the real deal,” highlighting his accomplishments since the loss, including becoming a two-time featherweight champion and the current BMF champion.

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McGregor emphasized that Holloway has improved significantly, noting his evolution as an ambidextrous fighter and praising his resilience and skill development:

"It’s not a bad shout hahaha but Holloway came back and earned it majorly. Two time fw champion. Attempted double champ. Is current bmf champ. Nah he the real deal. Always was, always is. Holloway is an always was, always is. 1000% He became way better after losing to me. He actually became an all time great after losing to me. This is a stellar fight folks! He took moves as well with him. He became ambidextrous after fighting me. He can fight in both stances now as good as each other. He will be very hard to catch for the little man.”

Check out Conor McGregor's post below:

Conor McGregor's post lauding Max Holloway's achievements. [Screenshot courtesy: @TheNotoriousMMA via X]

Dana White reacts to a potential Conor McGregor vs. Dan Hooker fight

Conor McGregor's highly anticipated UFC return in 2025 has taken an unexpected twist, with Dan Hooker emerging as a potential opponent. After Michael Chandler moved on to face Charles Oliveira, McGregor found himself without a scheduled fight. The Irishman hinted at a showdown with Hooker during a recent Bare Knuckle event, and UFC CEO Dana White is enthusiastic about the idea.

When asked about a potential McGregor-Hooker matchup, White expressed excitement but did not confirm the bout, stating:

“Yeah obviously, that would be a great fight. I like that fight. I did not announce the fight.”

Check out Dana White's comments below:

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About the author

Manjit has been an MMA writer at Sportskeeda since the past 3 years, specializing in covering boxing and MMA. Drawing from his past training in MMA, he brings a unique perspective to his reporting at Sportskeeda, culminating in compelling content.

While Conor McGregor holds a special place as his favorite fighter for the sheer legacy that the Irishman has built in MMA, Manjit's appreciation for the sport extends beyond individual athletes.

While writing, Manjit rigorously fact-checks and ensures the credibility of his sources to provide high-quality content for readers.

Outside of work, his interests include football and he is massive photography lover.

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Edited by C. Naik