Max Holloway will aim to write another chapter in his storied career when he faces Conor McGregor at UFC 329 on Sunday.

Holloway is a former UFC featherweight champion, former BMF title-holder, future Hall of Famer and leader across many metrics when you look at the history of the organisation.

But ask MMA fans to name their ‘Mount Rushmore’ – picking the top four fighters to have competed in the UFC – and Holloway’s name rarely, if ever, comes up.

The Hawaii native first stepped into the octagon in 2012 – just four fights into his MMA career – and has been a mainstay ever since.

Now 34, Holloway’s legacy has been cemented and the new generation, like 27-year-old Briton Lone’er Kavanagh – who competes on the undercard this weekend – have no doubts about his standing as one of the all time greats.

“If I see him the little child in me comes out,” Kavanagh said. “I look up to Max, he’s been at the top for so long and he’s always had exciting fights.

“I like his mindset going into things so if you told me five years ago I’d be fighting on a card with Max Holloway I wouldn’t have believed it.”

In the build-up to headlining UFC 329 with a rematch against McGregor, BBC Sport looks at Holloway’s rise through the ranks and the records he has set.

Aged 20, Holloway was the youngest fighter on the UFC’s roster when he made his debut at short notice against Dustin Poirier in 2012.

Signing a youngster who had only fought four times professionally appeared risky but it is a gamble that has paid off.

When Holloway walks to the octagon at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena in the early hours of Sunday morning, it will be his 32nd bout with the organisation.

Holloway is due to headline his 15th main event, with only Anderson Silva (21), Jon Jones (19) Randy Couture (18) and Tito Ortiz (16) topping the bill on more occasions.

Quite simply, the UFC know that they can rely on Holloway to bring in the crowds and put on a show.

Holloway has won 23 of his 32 contests in the UFC, losing nine, and has competed across eight title fights.

He become interim featherweight champion after beating Anthony Pettis in 2016 and turned that into the undisputed title when stopping fellow great Jose Aldo the following year.

After two defences of the 145lb belts, Holloway targeted success in a second division but fell short in a rematch with Poirier for the interim lightweight title – ending a five-year, 13-fight win streak.

Holloway made one further successful defence of his featherweight strap before losing it to Alexander Volkanovski in 2019.

He has not laid hands on a world title since but his willingness to come again – having failed in three further title bids – means he has remained one of the sport’s largest draws.

Holloway makes his welterweight debut this weekend and three of his last four fights have taken place at lightweight, but he still remains a record-holder at featherweight and ranks highly across several categories:

Holloway’s fighting style has always been fan-friendly.

‘Blessed’ is a high-output striker with a seemingly bottomless gas tank. He has earned 12 knockout finishes.

None have been more famous than his point-down knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 – described by commentator Joe Rogan as “KO of the century”.

In 2020, Holloway spoke about changing his approach to training and cutting back on sparring to preserve his health. But that has not impacted his ability to turn it on once he steps inside the octagon.

Holloway holds two records at lightweight for his striking output:

Victory over McGregor at UFC 329 will be another feather in the cap for Holloway. It is 13 years since the pair last shared the octagon in a bout on the preliminary card when the Irishman won by decision.

Holloway believes he has been presented the chance to “right the wrong” as he continues to set the example for those following on behind.