That framing matters because Holloway is not a soft landing spot. He has stayed busy across elite competition while McGregor has been absent from the Octagon, a gap that confidence alone cannot close.
What changed in his fight camp
McGregor then revealed one specific adjustment to his preparation: abstinence from sex and physical intimacy.
"I've practiced abstaining also in this camp," he said. "It's the first time I've ever done it, from any type of physical touch if you will, and that's been intense. And I'm excited to see what it brings Saturday night."
He added: "I'm going to have a good night Saturday all across the board."
Athletes have argued about the performance value of abstinence for decades, with varying levels of science and superstition involved. McGregor presented it as a personal experiment, not a universal training manual. A safer read: it is McGregor's personal experiment, not a universal training manual.
McGregor also addressed the civil assault finding
The media session also turned to a more serious subject: McGregor's return to public prominence after he was found liable for sexual assault in a civil suit. No criminal charges were brought against him, and McGregor again maintained his innocence when asked about it.
"It stings deep. I continue to fight. I know the truth and I know that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. And I know that anything done in darkness will soon come to light. And I trust in God that it's coming. You best believe it's coming, and I look very, very forward to the day."
The case remains part of the broader context around McGregor's comeback, even as the UFC build-up focuses heavily on the sporting question: what version of him returns after such a long break?
What is at stake at UFC 329
McGregor and Holloway first fought in 2013, long before both men became defining figures in the UFC's lighter weight classes. Saturday's rematch arrives under very different conditions.
For McGregor, the central questions are practical:
- How does he handle Holloway's pace after five years away?
- Can his timing and defensive reactions hold up against a highly active opponent?
- Does his camp adjustment have any measurable effect, or is it simply another fight-week talking point?
For Holloway, the opportunity is clear: beat one of the sport's biggest names in a rematch that carries unusual commercial weight. For the UFC, it is a major event built around star power, history, and one highly specific pre-fight lifestyle choice that no one had to ask about, but everyone will now discuss anyway.
