Dillon Danis, a close friend and former training partner of Conor McGregor, has shared his strong opinions regarding McGregor’s upcoming return to the octagon. McGregor is set to face Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329, marking his return after almost two years away from the sport.
While some speculate that McGregor might experience ring rust due to his extended break, Danis dismisses this concern. He views ring rust as a mental challenge that McGregor, renowned for his mental warfare skills, is well-equipped to overcome. Danis stated that McGregor is dedicating himself entirely to his comeback, training rigorously with tough sparring partners and exhibiting an unprecedented level of focus.
Speaking in an interview with MMA Fighting, Danis revealed that McGregor is intensely focused on the rematch with Holloway, foregoing other distractions, including attending the UFC White House event. Danis emphasized McGregor’s current dedication, noting, “He is living in the gym. He’s bringing in tough training partners. He’s focused. He’s beyond focused. I’ve never seen him this dialed in… It’s a different kind of dedication that he has right now.”
Danis further commented on McGregor’s physical condition and the advantages of the fight being contested at 170 pounds, suggesting it will benefit the Irishman. He confidently predicted McGregor’s dominance: “He is gonna clean Max. I’m telling you. At that weight and the way his body is looking and the way he is training and the way he’s putting in the dedication and the hours. There is no one that can come back from a layoff [and shine like Conor]. I don’t believe in ring rust. I’ve been out for a long time, and I come back, and I think ring rust is a mindset, and anybody who’s going to beat a mindset is Conor.”
Looking ahead, Danis believes McGregor will not only defeat Holloway but will do so emphatically. He anticipates McGregor knocking out Holloway before the end of the second or third round. Following this victory, Danis suggested McGregor will set his sights on current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, a fighter Danis openly expresses animosity towards. He stated, “People are really, really underestimating him [Conor]. I don’t want to give too much away, but I’m telling you. The old Conor McGregor… He is going to hurt Max really badly. I think he’s going to knock out Max, and then it’s going to be him and Islam [Makhachev]. I don’t think it makes it past three rounds. Maybe two. I think he cleans his jaw.”
The possibility of a McGregor vs. Makhachev fight has been previously discussed. Last year, McGregor expressed interest in facing Makhachev after the latter achieved two-division championship status, hinting at aspirations for a “triple crown” of three-division glory.
Dillon Danis Believes Conor McGregor Will Knock Out Max Holloway and Then Target Islam Makhachev
Dillon Danis is convinced that his friend and former training partner, Conor McGregor, is in peak condition and mentally prepared for his upcoming UFC return against Max Holloway. Danis predicts McGregor will decisively defeat Holloway, potentially by knockout, and then aim to challenge UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev.
Danis stated that McGregor is showing an unparalleled level of dedication, training with intensity and exhibiting exceptional focus for his fight at UFC 329. He dismissed concerns about ring rust, describing it as a mere mental hurdle that McGregor, known for his psychological prowess, will easily overcome. Danis highlighted McGregor’s commitment, noting that he is “living in the gym” and is “beyond focused,” something Danis has “never seen before.”
Furthermore, Danis believes the 170-pound weight class will be advantageous for McGregor. He confidently predicts a definitive victory for McGregor over Holloway, stating, “He is gonna clean Max.” Danis anticipates McGregor will knock out Holloway and then pursue a fight with Makhachev, whom Danis personally dislikes. He expressed his belief that McGregor will finish Holloway quickly, stating, “I think he’s going to knock out Max… I don’t think it makes it past three rounds. Maybe two.”
This prediction reignites discussions about a potential super-fight between McGregor and Makhachev, a matchup that McGregor himself has previously shown interest in, as he aims to achieve a historic three-division championship.
