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Northern Ireland fans show support for Max Holloway ahead of McGregor's return

Oscar Nascimento, MMA News Editor at AgentMMABy Oscar Nascimento
Updated AgentMMA.com
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A 'Do Us Proud Max Holloway' sign has been spotted in Northern Ireland as anticipation builds around Conor McGregor's return fight. The display highlights local support for Holloway, McGregor's opponent, in the lead-up to the bout.

AgentMMA.com

A handmade sign reading "Do Us Proud Max Holloway" has been spotted in Northern Ireland, offering a glimpse of the local sentiment building ahead of UFC 329 on July 11, where Holloway is set to face Conor McGregor.

The display is notable given McGregor's deep roots across the island of Ireland. That a segment of the Northern Irish public is rallying behind his opponent underscores just how much attention surrounds the return of one of the sport's most recognizable figures.

Max Holloway
Max Holloway

Holloway, 34, carries a 27-9 record into the bout and is ranked fourth in the lightweight division, sitting ninth in the pound-for-pound standings. The Hawaiian fighter, who trains out of Gracie Technics, is one of MMA's most prolific volume strikers, landing 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 69-inch reach, he fights out of an orthodox stance and has built his reputation on relentless output over championship-distance fights.

McGregor, 37, returns to the octagon with a 22-6 record. The Dublin native trains out of SBG Ireland and brings a 74-inch reach to the cage despite standing five-foot-nine, giving him a meaningful length advantage over many opponents. Fighting southpaw, he lands 5.32 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy. The bout marks a highly anticipated comeback for "The Notorious," who has been away from competition for an extended stretch.

Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor

Why it matters

  • Holloway's top-five lightweight ranking means a win could shake up divisional title contention
  • McGregor's return is among the most-watched storylines in the sport, bringing enormous crossover attention to UFC 329
  • The southpaw versus orthodox matchup pits McGregor's reach and power-based style against Holloway's elite volume and output
Published by AgentMMA
UFC 329

Saturday, July 11, 2026

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