Okay, let’s talk about that Holloway vs McGregor fight from way back when. It’s funny how some fights stick in your head, right? I found myself thinking about it again recently, not sure why, maybe just saw some highlights somewhere. So, I decided to actually sit down and really watch it again, properly this time, not just remembering the result.
Digging In
First thing I did was pull up the full fight footage. Not just the clips, the whole thing, round by round. It’s different when you watch knowing the outcome, you notice other stuff. I grabbed a drink, got comfortable, and just let it play.
I wasn’t looking for anything super technical, just wanted to get the feel of it again. See how they moved, how the energy was. You know, the stuff you miss when you’re just caught up in the moment live.
What I Saw This Time
Man, they were both so young back then. It’s kinda wild to see. McGregor had that swagger already, that wide stance, the pressure. But Holloway, even though he lost, you could see flashes of what he’d become. The volume wasn’t quite there yet, but the toughness? Absolutely.
Here’s what stood out to me this time around:
- McGregor’s Control: He really did control the distance well in that fight. Used his kicks effectively to keep Holloway on the outside early on.
- Holloway’s Durability: Even back then, Max could take a shot. He got hit clean a few times but kept coming forward. That chin was always solid.
- The Knee Injury: Watching it again, knowing McGregor apparently injured his knee, you try to spot when it happened. It definitely seemed to change the fight’s dynamic in the later rounds, leading to more grappling.
- Early Styles: It was a glimpse of their earlier selves. McGregor was more than just the left hand, and Holloway was still developing that relentless pressure-boxing he’s known for now.
Thinking About It After
Rewatching it wasn’t about picking a winner again, obviously. It was more about appreciating the journey both guys have been on. It’s crazy how much they both evolved after this single fight.
McGregor went on that incredible tear, two belts, superstardom, all that jazz. His style became sharper, more focused on that power striking.
Holloway, well, he went on that insane win streak. Became the ‘Blessed Era’. He refined his game, turned into a volume-punching machine that just drowns opponents. It felt like that loss really fueled him.
So yeah, that was my little dive back into Holloway vs McGregor. Just pulled up the old tape, watched closely, and spent some time thinking about how things change. It’s less about the fight itself now, and more about the paths they took afterwards. Pretty interesting stuff when you actually take a moment to look back.
