Dustin Poirier Explains Why He Doubts Conor McGregor Would Trade Punches With Max Holloway
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier believes fans hoping for a dramatic last-second slugfest between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway may be disappointed if the fight ever happens.
Speaking about a hypothetical matchup between the two fan favorites, Poirier questioned whether McGregor would be willing or able to engage in the type of wild exchange that made Holloway’s iconic finish against Justin Gaethje one of the most memorable moments in UFC history.
“I don’t think Conor is going to be in physical shape to throw down with Max like that,” Poirier said.
What Is Poirier Referring To?
Poirier was referencing Holloway’s unforgettable UFC 300 victory over Justin Gaethje. With just seconds remaining in the fight, Holloway famously pointed to the center of the Octagon and invited Gaethje to stand and trade punches.
Gaethje accepted the challenge, and Holloway landed a devastating knockout with only one second left on the clock, producing one of the most iconic finishes the sport has ever seen.
Since then, fans have wondered whether other fighters would accept a similar invitation if Holloway pointed to the canvas during the closing moments of a fight.
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Why Does Poirier Doubt McGregor?
According to Poirier, the issue is not courage but conditioning.
McGregor has not competed since suffering a broken leg in his trilogy fight against Poirier in July 2021. Injuries, inactivity and years away from elite competition have raised questions about whether the former two-division UFC champion can still perform at the same level that made him one of the sport’s biggest stars.
Holloway, meanwhile, remains one of the most durable and high-volume strikers in MMA. Known for his exceptional cardio and relentless pace, the Hawaiian has repeatedly shown he can maintain a furious output deep into fights.
That contrast is why Poirier believes a last-second firefight would favor Holloway.
A Fight Fans Would Love to See
Despite Poirier’s doubts, a showdown between McGregor and Holloway remains one of the most intriguing potential matchups in MMA. The pair first met in 2013, with McGregor earning a unanimous decision victory early in both men’s UFC careers.
More than a decade later, both fighters are global stars, and a rematch would attract enormous attention.
Whether McGregor could match Holloway in a final 10-second shootout remains a matter of debate, but Poirier has made his position clear. If Holloway points to the center of the cage, he does not expect McGregor to answer the call.
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