TLDR
- Conor McGregor arrived in Las Vegas on Tuesday for his UFC 329 fight against Max Holloway on Saturday, July 11
- Fans worried about a possible withdrawal after McGregor was absent from the first UFC Embedded episode
- McGregor moved his afterparty venue from Encore to Marquee Las Vegas, which added to fan concerns
- The 37-year-old fighter enters the bout as the betting underdog against Holloway at T-Mobile Arena
- Both fighters are confirmed healthy and ready for Saturday’s main event
Sources: mmamania.com | sports.yahoo.com
Conor McGregor has arrived in Las Vegas for his UFC 329 fight against Max Holloway on Saturday, July 11. The former two-division champion’s late arrival sparked worry among fans after his previous fight booking fell apart two weeks before the event.
McGregor checked into T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday, the same venue where he last fought in 2021 against Dustin Poirier. The 37-year-old Irish fighter will turn 38 just days after the scheduled bout.
Fans grew concerned when McGregor was absent from the first episode of UFC Embedded, a video series that follows main event fighters throughout fight week. Max Holloway appeared in the episode arriving from Hawaii, but McGregor was nowhere to be seen.
“No Conor on episode 1 is crazy,” one fan wrote in the YouTube comments. Another added “MCGREGOR NOT IN VEGAS?!”
Afterparty Venue Change Added to Confusion
The worry increased when McGregor cancelled his post-fight afterparty at the Encore in Las Vegas. However, the cancellation was not due to fight issues.
McGregor moved his afterparty from the Encore Las Vegas to the Marquee Las Vegas inside the Cosmopolitan Hotel. The venue change appears to be a business decision rather than a sign of trouble.
Social media posts from McGregor’s accounts confirmed his arrival in Nevada. Photos showed the fighter doing a late-night run on streets that appeared to be in Las Vegas based on the road width and desert landscaping.
The Face of UFC Conor McGregor is Back 🇮🇪#UFC329 pic.twitter.com/q1BgV0TBoC
— Mcgregor Forever (@mcgregorufc22) July 8, 2026
McGregor Speaks About His Comeback
During the UFC 329 “Countdown” special, McGregor talked about his return to fighting. “I’ve been gifted this ability to walk, pursuing my craft,” he said. “And for too long I disgraced that gift. And no more.”
McGregor expressed excitement about his comeback after several years away from the octagon. “Every day I count all of my stars and prayer to God that I’m able to get up and go,” he explained.
The Irish fighter enters Saturday’s bout as the betting underdog against Holloway. Despite this, McGregor remains confident about his future in the sport.
“I feel there’s so much left for me to conquer in this game,” McGregor said. “So much more accolades, more belts, more knockouts, more records, more cash.”
McGregor and Holloway have fought before, with McGregor winning their 2013 bout in Boston. That fight took place over a decade ago when both fighters were much younger in their careers.
McGregor stated he believes he is currently in his prime. “The fight game and the combat sports world is McGregor’s world and I’m in my prime here now,” he said. “So, it is on me now to go and show that and that’s what I will do.”
Both fighters are confirmed healthy and ready for Saturday’s main event at T-Mobile Arena. The fight will stream on Paramount+ for viewers.
McGregor’s arrival puts an end to speculation that he might withdraw from UFC 329. His last-minute appearance in Las Vegas confirms the main event will proceed as scheduled on July 11.
