Belal Muhammad Predicts Holloway Will Finish McGregor at UFC 329
**Belal Muhammad** says Max Holloway will stop Conor McGregor by TKO when they clash at UFC 329 on 29 Jun 2026, arguing the five‑year gap and McGregor’s recent lifestyle make a comeback unlikely.
On his YouTube channel, Muhammad laid out the logic behind his pick. He noted McGregor’s last fight was a broken‑leg TKO loss to Dustin Poirier on 10 Jul 2021. Five years later, the Irishman has been “living the McGregor lifestyle,” which Muhammad describes as a mix of drugs, partying and minimal training. “He’s got extra muscle, but his cardio’s a question mark,” Muhammad said, referencing the long layoff.
Muhammad doesn’t see the bout as a pure striking war. He urges Holloway to mix in takedowns early, draining McGregor’s power while he’s still fresh. “Max should initiate the grappling in the first three or four minutes,” he explained, pointing to Holloway’s recent loss to Charles Oliveira where ground control proved decisive. By forcing a clinch, Muhammad believes Holloway can neutralize any burst of energy McGregor might show.
The former champion has added muscle since his last fight, but Muhammad warns that the extra weight could hurt his endurance. “Five years off, extra muscle, higher weight class-his cardio’s going to be an even bigger problem,” Muhammad argued. He expects McGregor to start hot, but predicts a rapid fade once Holloway imposes pressure and lands body shots.
Muhammad is confident Holloway will finish the fight, predicting a TKO in the later rounds after wearing McGregor down. “I’m picking Holloway and going with finish. He’ll hurt him to the body, catch him up top, and I’m going with TKO,” he declared. He added that the real answer will only emerge once the cage door locks and the first three minutes unfold.
Beyond the immediate fight, Muhammad sees this bout as a barometer for McGregor’s future. He believes the result will reveal whether the former two‑division champion still has fight left in him. “We’ll know which McGregor we got-is he still there, does he still have any motivation?” Muhammad asked, underscoring his belief that Holloway’s momentum and hunger after a recent loss give him the edge.
UFC 329 promises a high‑stakes showdown in the welterweight division. Holloway, coming off a loss to Oliveira, will look to rebound, while McGregor hopes to silence doubters after a five‑year hiatus. Muhammad’s analysis adds a layer of intrigue, suggesting the fight could hinge on whether Holloway mixes striking with grappling early enough to exploit McGregor’s cardio concerns.