Former UFC featherweight and BMF champion Max Holloway has laid down the rules for his famous 10-second pointdown ahead of his highly anticipated UFC 329 rematch against Conor McGregor.
Holloway and McGregor are set to clash in a welterweight bout on July 11. This will mark Holloway’s debut in the 170-pound division. ‘Blessed’ previously clashed with McGregor in 2013 and lost by decision after being dominated for 15 minutes in every department by the Irishman. However, ‘Blessed’ has significantly evolved as a fighter since their last meeting.
Holloway has built a reputation for offering his opponents a final “Hail Mary pass” in the closing seconds of his fights. The Hawaiian often points to the center of the Octagon and urges his opponent to abandon defence and engage in a wild ten-second brawl before the final bell.
His most iconic moment came against then-BMF-champ Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, when Holloway knocked out ‘The Highlight’ during the final ten-second exchange after comfortably leading on the scorecards.
Speaking to the UFC about his signature move, Holloway made it clear that once you agree to brawl, there is no backing down, and the fighter who is up on the scorecards is the one who should initiate the call to action by pointing down:
“Here are the official rules, guys. I am talking to you fighters. Whatever round you guys are at, if you are fighting a two-rounder, three-rounder, five-rounder, or four-rounder, whatever it is, if you’re winning the fight, you’re the person who can call the ten seconds. And then when you call the ten seconds, you cannot step back, or shoot, or clinch.”
“This is your opportunity to go crazy. Don’t try to take advantage of the situation. The whole thing is, last ten seconds, you give this guy a Hail Mary pass and see if he can catch it. That’s what it is, guys. Don’t shoot, don’t clinch, swing it up.”
Check out Max Holloway’s comments below:
Could Max Holloway Risk the Pointdown Against Conor McGregor at UFC 329?
The question is whether Max Holloway would dare to call for a ten-second throwdown against Conor McGregor at UFC 329, if the bout makes it to the end of the final round.
McGregor is widely regarded as one of the sharpest strikers in UFC history. He has previously dismantled elite opponents like Jose Aldo and Eddie Alvarez with his precise counterpunching, distance management, and timing. However, ‘The Notorious’ is returning to the Octagon after a lengthy layoff, leaving questions over whether he can still recreate the magic of his prime.
If the version of McGregor fans remember shows up on July 11, Holloway could find himself in serious trouble when he invites the Irishman to brawl in the last 10 seconds.
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