Conor McGregor reveals unusual training move before UFC 329 return

Conor McGregor is leaving nothing to chance in his preparation for UFC 329, revealing an unconventional training strategy ahead of his return to competition on July 11 against Max Holloway at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Irish fighter, making his first Octagon appearance since suffering a leg injury in his 2021 trilogy loss to Dustin Poirier, disclosed that he has abstained from all forms of physical intimacy during this camp—a first for him.

"The fire is in my belly roaring and it's about to be released on Saturday night," McGregor said during media day, describing the experience as intense. Though abstinence from intercourse has long been a staple of combat sports preparation, contemporary research suggests any benefit is primarily psychological rather than physiological.

McGregor (22-6) faces Holloway (27-9) in a welterweight main event. His last Octagon victory came in 2020 against Donald Cerrone. Holloway enters the bout on inconsistent form, sitting 1-2 in his last three fights and coming off a decisive loss to Charles Oliveira, though he has remained active against elite-level opposition. McGregor's return marks a significant moment for the former two-division champion as he aims to reclaim momentum after nearly four years away from competition.