Conor McGregor sends final warning to Max Holloway ahead of huge UFC return

Conor McGregor vowed to deliver a "blockbuster" performance after coming face-to-face with Max Holloway for the final time before their eagerly anticipated UFC showdown.

The Irish superstar returns to the Octagon on Saturday night for the first time in five years, renewing his rivalry with Holloway more than a decade after defeating the Hawaiian by unanimous decision in 2013 despite suffering serious knee ligament damage during the contest.

Following Friday's ceremonial weigh-in, McGregor soaked up the atmosphere before promising fans they were about to witness a memorable comeback.

"It's great to be back," McGregor said.

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"Thank you to all the fans in attendance. I hope you're ready for a blockbuster tomorrow night. The Mac is bringing it."

The former two-weight UFC champion has not fought since his trilogy defeat to Dustin Poirier in 2021, when he suffered a devastating broken leg at the end of the opening round.

Since then, McGregor has remained out of action while his future inside the cage has repeatedly been questioned.

But the 37-year-old has made it clear he believes he is capable of producing the kind of performances that established him as one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts history.

Earlier this week, McGregor claimed Holloway would struggle to survive if he produced his best form.

"I can destroy Max inside 10 seconds," he said.

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"I have knockouts inside three seconds on my fighting record.

"I have Hall of Fame fighters, multiple Hall of Fame UFC fighters defeated and destroyed both together and under a minute, and I can add Max to that."

McGregor also warned Holloway that lasting into the later rounds would not necessarily improve his chances.

He added: "However, don't get it twisted. If we go into deep waters, Max is going to be in a lot of trouble, he will be badly concussed."

Holloway, meanwhile, showed no sign of being intimidated as he prepares to make his welterweight debut following his lightweight defeat to Charles Oliveira earlier this year.

The former featherweight champion responded with fighting talk of his own, insisting he possesses the aggression needed to spoil McGregor's long-awaited return.

"I'm too ferocious, I'm too relentless," Holloway declared.

"If this guy is a missile, I'm a f***ing nuke; I'll see you tomorrow night."

The rematch brings together two of the UFC's most recognisable names more than 13 years after their first meeting, when a rising McGregor defeated Holloway on points despite competing for much of the fight with a serious knee injury.

Now, after years away from competition, the spotlight will once again fall on McGregor as he attempts to prove he remains capable of competing at the highest level in one of the biggest comeback fights in UFC history.

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