Chael
Sonnen believes Conor
McGregor has a narrow path to victory against Max
Holloway.
Thirteen years after their featherweight clash in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship, McGregor and Holloway are now
set to run it back at welterweight. They’ll collide at
UFC 329 on Saturday, July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Sonnen has now revealed how the Irishman can emerge victorious.
Advertisement
Chael Sonnen questions Conor McGregor’s chances in Max Holloway
rematch
Ahead of the upcoming numbered event, Sonnen praised McGregor for
attempting a comeback after his in-cage leg break back in 2021, but
acknowledged the challenge awaiting the former two-division
champion.
“Well, I’m inspired right now by Conor McGregor and I don’t think
there’s very many famous elitist millionaires that could inspire
me, but he is really… He’s tackling something big here,” Sonnen
said during a recent preview on Paramount+. “First off, that’s the
worst injury that I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen three other guys have
it, but I’ve never seen an injury worse than this. He’s returning
to a weight class outside of his prime, which historically has
never worked out successfully, even in the boxing world.”
Sonnen then pointed out that McGregor also signed up for five
rounds, which was difficult even when the former two-division
champion was younger and injury-free. The former UFC title
challenger also highlighted the switch in weight class, claiming
that “working less hard now” isn’t a good sign in the lead-up to a
comeback fight following a lengthy hiatus.
“If somebody tells me they think Conor’s going to win, what I’m
hearing is they think Conor’s going to knock him out,” Sonnen
added, revealing how an early knockout is McGregor’s only likely
route to victory. “And if somebody’s telling me they think Conor’s
going to knock him out, what I’m hearing is they think he’s going
to do it in the first round. That’s probably the most likely
way.”