Conor McGregor

AJ picks Max Holloway to win, citing McGregor's five-year layoff, age (37), and the fact that Holloway is in-season and has superior cardio and durability. He believes McGregor will fade after the first round and that Holloway's volume and body work will lead to a late stoppage. AJ also notes that McGregor's power is his only path, but Holloway's mobility and chin make that unlikely.

AJ thinks Conor McGregor's best chance is early in the first two rounds, but expects Max Holloway to be powerful at welterweight and doubts McGregor's timing after the layoff. He believes Holloway is more likely to win as the fight continues, and suggests Holloway by KO under 3.5 rounds at +125. He also notes that if McGregor wins, it would likely be a KO in round one or two.

AJ picks Max Holloway over Conor McGregor, citing McGregor's long layoff, partying, and injury history. He believes Holloway's activity, durability, and cardio will be decisive, and expects a later-stage TKO as McGregor fades. AJ notes that McGregor's best performances were at lower weights and that his 170-pound cardio has been questionable.

AJ acknowledges the temptation to pick McGregor due to his aura and recent upsets, but ultimately sides with Holloway. He notes Holloway's proven chin at 170 and that he only loses when held down all fight, while McGregor has been out for over 4 years. He believes Holloway's durability and activity give him the edge.

AJ picks Max Holloway by knockout in the second or third round. He believes Holloway's pace, cardio, and combination punching will overwhelm McGregor, who is returning after a five-year layoff and a serious leg injury. He notes Holloway's recent wins over top competition and expects McGregor to fade after the first round.

AJ picks Max Holloway to win, likely by knockout. He notes Holloway is minus 210 and thinks McGregor's long layoff makes a decision win unlikely. He suggests Holloway by KO in rounds 2 or 3 as prop bets, but doesn't love the main event betting lines overall.

Angelo believes Max Holloway is better everywhere: striking, grappling, cardio, fight IQ. He notes Conor is old, slow, rusty, and hasn't fought in 5 years, with no cardio even in his prime. He expects Holloway to finish McGregor.

Angelo picks Max Holloway confidently, stating Conor McGregor has no chance. He cites McGregor's five-year layoff, age (38), loss of speed and timing, and never having good cardio. He compares McGregor's leg break to Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman's similar injuries leading to decline. He believes Holloway will respect McGregor early but take over and finish him.

Big Brady picks Max Holloway to win by second-round knockout. He is surprised by the betting line and money coming in on McGregor, citing McGregor's one win in nine years and five-year layoff. He acknowledges McGregor's early power but believes Holloway's volume and pressure will break him. He thinks Holloway will finish McGregor in the second round.

Big Brady is leaning towards Max Holloway but is very hesitant due to the suspicious line movement and McGregor's early KO threat. He notes Holloway's elite durability and cardio, but acknowledges his chin was cracked by Topuria. He gives McGregor a 25% chance, mostly via round 1 KO, and is waiting to see if Holloway's odds drop further before betting.

Big Brady is heavily backing Max Holloway, taking the -5.5 point spread at -150 for 3 units. He believes Conor McGregor's five-year layoff, leg injury, and partying lifestyle leave him with only a couple minutes of explosiveness. He expects Holloway to drown McGregor in deep waters and finish him in rounds 2-3, as McGregor cannot win more than one round. He also has 5 units on the fight not going to decision across two parlays, calling a McGregor decision a 'rigged outcome.'

Big Brady picks Max Holloway, citing Conor McGregor's five-year layoff, injury, and one win in the last decade. He notes Holloway's durability (most significant strikes absorbed) and believes McGregor's only chance is an early KO, but Holloway will weather the storm and finish him in rounds 2-4. He doubts McGregor has 15 good minutes in him.

Cody picks Max Holloway, emphasizing McGregor's inactivity, age (38), leg injury, and lack of durability. He believes Holloway's volume, cardio, and recent elite competition give him a clear edge. He expects Holloway to win by TKO and thinks the fight doesn't go the distance.

Daniel Levi picks Max Holloway to finish Conor McGregor, citing McGregor's five-year layoff, leg break, and history of fading in fights. He notes that McGregor's best chance is an early knockout, but Holloway's durability and volume will overwhelm him as the fight progresses. Levi references Holloway's slow starts but believes he can weather the early storm and take over.

Jacob picks Conor McGregor for sentimental reasons, acknowledging it's unlikely. He believes McGregor still has power and accuracy, and that Holloway's chin has shown cracks. He thinks if McGregor lands his left hand early, he could knock Holloway out. However, he admits McGregor's cardio is a major issue and that Holloway should win. He says to pick Max but bet Max, but he's sticking with his boy.

Lucrative James picks Max Holloway to win via knockout, likely in rounds 2 or 3. He acknowledges Conor McGregor's puncher's chance early but believes Holloway's durability, cardio, and five-round experience will overwhelm McGregor, who has been inactive and suffered a severe leg injury. He notes that McGregor's power fades after round one and that Holloway has faced much tougher competition recently.

The host is confident in Holloway winning by TKO, citing McGregor's long layoff, ring rust, likely decline in speed, and the damage he has done to his body. He expects Holloway's volume and pressure to drown McGregor in the middle rounds, and recommends waiting for a better line on Holloway as McGregor money comes in.

The host recalls that McGregor used grappling to edge out the first fight in 2013, but notes Holloway has since transcended to a much higher level. He expects Holloway's high pace, volume, and pressure to drown McGregor, leading to a second, third, or fourth round TKO stoppage.

Paul picks Max Holloway citing activity, durability, and McGregor's long layoff and distractions. He notes Holloway's volume and cardio advantages, and that McGregor's best days are behind him. He mentions he already placed a small bet on Holloway and expects the line to move further.

Angelo flips his pick from the last fight, now favoring Conor. He notes that in the first fight, Conor landed everything with power and had Dustin in trouble multiple times, but didn't capitalize due to pacing. He believes Conor will have a plan for the leg kicks this time and will get the job done. He also placed a bet on Conor by KO/TKO for plus odds.

Big Brady picks Conor McGregor to win by first-round knockout. He notes that Conor has the X-factor power, being the hardest hitter pound-for-pound, and that Poirier absorbs a lot of strikes (4.17 per minute). He expects Conor to make adjustments, stuff takedowns, check leg kicks, and keep the fight at range. He acknowledges Poirier's durability but believes Conor will land a knockout.

Cody picks Poirier based on Conor's fading cardio after the first round, Poirier's durability and leg kicks, and the American Top Team camp. He notes Conor's power early but expects Poirier to take over late. He hasn't bet yet, waiting to see how the press conferences affect Poirier's mindset.

Daniel Levi picks Dustin Poirier to win the trilogy. He emphasizes Poirier's superior cardio, output, and durability, noting that Poirier has the most knockouts in UFC lightweight history and has shown he can overcome adversity. He points out that since 2016, Poirier is 7-1 while McGregor is 1-3, and that McGregor struggles in deep waters and has diminishing durability. He predicts a submission win for Poirier, citing the check right hook, calf kicks, takedowns, and clinch work as key factors.

Jacob initially favored Dustin but switched to Conor after rewatching the first fight. He notes Conor landed everything in round one but paced himself too much. He thinks Conor will blitz early to avoid calf kicks and finish in the first round. He also mentions a possible staph infection on Conor's elbow, which could affect cardio and push Conor to an early finish.

I'm going with Poirier here, but I have no real confidence. I think Poirier's durability and cardio have improved at 155, and he can eat McGregor's shots now. McGregor might have a new game plan, but I expect Poirier to take over in the later rounds and finish him, probably in the third or fourth round. I'm not betting this fight myself, but I like Poirier inside the distance and the fight not going to decision.

Paul picks Poirier, citing Conor's durability issues and long layoffs. He notes Conor's power early but believes Poirier's durability and cardio will prevail. He mentions the distraction of Conor's trash talk and the Colby Covington sparring video, but still favors Poirier.

Big Brady picks Conor McGregor to win by first-round knockout, similar to their first fight. He notes McGregor's power and accuracy as key advantages, and believes Poirier's cardio won't be a factor because the fight won't go deep. He acknowledges Poirier could be a live dog but ultimately sides with McGregor's striking superiority.

Daniel Levi picks Conor McGregor to win early, citing McGregor's devastating power and ability to finish fights in the first round. He acknowledges Poirier's improved chin at lightweight and his path to victory if he survives the early storm, but believes McGregor's power is too much. Levi expresses personal rooting interest for Poirier but makes a logical pick for McGregor.

McGregor has the precision and power to replicate his first-round knockout from their first fight. Poirier is durable but has been knocked down by lesser power. McGregor's takedown defense is solid, and he should be able to keep the fight on the feet. Poirier's cardio advantage may not matter if McGregor lands early. I see McGregor winning by first-round KO.

Daniel picks Conor McGregor to win by knockout, likely in the first round. He notes that McGregor's left hand is a huge factor and that Cerrone has historically folded under big lights. However, he questions McGregor's motivation and fatigue issues, but believes this is a tune-up fight for McGregor.

The host picks Conor McGregor to win by first-round KO, citing McGregor's range, speed, in-and-out movement, and left hand as key advantages. He believes Cerrone will struggle to deal with these attributes and that McGregor will set up a trap and land a clean left hand. However, he notes that if Cerrone's odds reach +300, he might place a small bet on Cerrone due to value, but his official prediction remains McGregor by first-round KO.