TLDR
- Max Holloway and Conor McGregor will rematch at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on July 11, 2026
- McGregor defeated Holloway by unanimous decision in their first fight 13 years ago in Boston
- McGregor has not fought since July 2021 when he lost to Dustin Poirier due to a leg injury
- Holloway won the featherweight championship and BMF title after his 2013 loss to McGregor
- Holloway plans to take McGregor into later rounds and outlast him in the rematch
Sources: sports.yahoo.com
Max Holloway and Conor McGregor will face each other for the second time when they headline UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 11. The rematch comes thirteen years after their first meeting.
The two fighters first met at UFC Fight Night 26 in Boston in 2013. McGregor won that featherweight bout by unanimous decision on the preliminary card in just his second UFC appearance.
Both fighters have taken very different paths since their first encounter at TD Garden. McGregor became one of the sport’s biggest stars, while Holloway built a championship legacy of his own.
McGregor’s Long Road Back
McGregor has been out of action since UFC 264 in July 2021. He suffered a serious leg injury during his fight against Dustin Poirier, which ended in a loss.
The defeat to Poirier marked McGregor’s second consecutive loss to the Louisiana fighter. The Irishman has remained on the sidelines for nearly five years as he recovered from the injury.
🚨 Conor McGregor on running it back with Max Holloway 👀
"I love rematches. Who doesn't enjoy seeing a story evolve and the tension build? It excites the fans and creates comparisons. I'm always open to a good rematch. It's great for business.
Max was the name that was chosen.… pic.twitter.com/adWCWbuQ9C
— The Fight Fanatic (@FightFanatic_) July 4, 2026
While McGregor was away from competition, Holloway stayed active in the octagon. The Hawaiian fighter faced top opponents across two different weight classes.
Holloway’s Championship Run
After losing to McGregor in 2013, Holloway went on to capture the undisputed featherweight championship. He successfully defended the title three times during his reign.
Holloway also won the BMF title and defended it. His active schedule kept him competing against the best fighters in the world.
For the rematch, Holloway has a specific game plan in mind. He wants to use his cardio and endurance to wear down the returning McGregor.
“We drown him. We down him. We’re going to give him an old Hawaiian style beating and drown him,” Holloway said on his YouTube channel. “We’re taking him to deep waters.”
Holloway believes the fight will be more exciting than a holiday celebration. He compared the upcoming bout to Independence Day fireworks.
“Come Saturday night, Holloway versus McGregor 2, it’s going to be fireworks, man,” Holloway said. “The 4th of July ain’t nothing compared to come July 11th.”
The fighters are no longer the same people who competed on the preliminary card in Boston. McGregor enters the bout after his longest layoff since joining the UFC.
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Holloway comes into the fight with championship experience and a proven track record against elite competition. He has fought consistently while McGregor recovered from his leg injury.
The main event at UFC 329 will determine if Holloway can avenge his 2013 loss. It will also test whether McGregor can return to form after five years away from the octagon.
The fight takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 11, 2026.
