TLDR
- Conor McGregor is calling for a rematch against Max Holloway during UFC’s International Fight Week in July 2027
- McGregor lost to Holloway by technical knockout in 69 seconds at UFC 329 on July 11 after injuring his right knee
- The Irish fighter needs surgery to repair a torn ACL and UFC President Dana White says he’s out for a year
- The proposed 2027 fight would be the final bout of McGregor’s current UFC contract
- McGregor and Holloway previously fought in 2013, with McGregor winning by decision
Sources: yardbarker.com | yardbarker.com | aljazeera.com
Conor McGregor has announced plans for what he calls his “Last Dance” with the UFC, challenging Max Holloway to a rematch during International Fight Week in July 2027. The fight would be the final bout of McGregor’s current contract with the organization.
The Irish fighter posted his challenge on Instagram on Monday, writing “What was to be a generational beating is now to be reset. IFW 2027. The Last Dance.” He is currently recovering from a serious knee injury that ended his most recent fight.
Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 😮💨
Peak McGregor Era. pic.twitter.com/lz6vFLgMO1
— Mcgregor Forever (@mcgregorufc22) April 6, 2026
Quick Defeat at UFC 329
McGregor suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a welterweight bout against Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on July 11. The fight ended by technical knockout after just 69 seconds when McGregor hurt his knee throwing an early kick.
The loss marked McGregor’s first appearance in the Octagon in five years. His last fight before UFC 329 was a technical knockout loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in Las Vegas in July 2021, when he broke his leg.
McGregor has now lost his last three fights and four of his last five bouts. The 38-year-old fighter needs surgery to repair the torn ACL, which explains the long timeline for his proposed comeback.
UFC President Dana White confirmed the severity of the injury on Sunday, stating “Conor McGregor’s out for a year.” Despite this, McGregor recently posted an Instagram video showing himself doing leg exercises.
History Between the Fighters
A 2027 rematch would be the third meeting between McGregor and Holloway. The two first fought in August 2013 at featherweight, when both were rising contenders at 145 pounds.
McGregor won that fight by unanimous decision. The matchup represents unfinished business from McGregor’s days as a featherweight competitor before he became a two-division champion.
Holloway currently holds a record of 28-9 and is 34 years old. The Honolulu native lost by unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 in March before his victory over McGregor in July.
Holloway won the BMF (Baddest Motherf***er) title in April 2025 with a fifth-round knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. He continues to compete while McGregor recovers from his injury.
International Fight Week typically takes place in early July and is anchored by a major pay-per-view card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The UFC has not commented on McGregor’s public challenge.
McGregor remains under contract with the UFC despite his lengthy absence from competition. The proposed July 2027 date would give him approximately one year to recover from surgery and return to training.
McGregor’s current record stands at 22-7 in his professional mixed martial arts career. Holloway has not publicly responded to the challenge for a third fight between the two veterans.
