TLDR
- Conor McGregor will return to the UFC on July 11 against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas
- McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021
- Holloway opened as better than a 5-1 betting favorite over McGregor
- The fight is a rematch of their 2013 bout, which McGregor won by decision
- The welterweight matchup will allow both fighters to weigh up to 171 pounds
Sources: KNPR / Associated Press | Sportsnet | ESPN | Yahoo Sports
Conor McGregor will return to the UFC octagon on July 11 to face Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the matchup over the weekend, ending years of speculation about when the 37-year-old Irish fighter would compete again.
McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. He was scheduled to return against Michael Chandler in July 2024 but withdrew due to a toe injury.
The former two-division champion has also dealt with legal issues during his time away. An Irish jury found him liable in a civil sexual assault case from a 2018 incident, and Ireland’s High Court upheld that decision in July 2025.
CONOR MCGREGOR vs MAX HOLLOWAY 2 !!!!
Your International Fight Week main event is confirmed!
[ #UFC329 LIVE July 11 on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/uVxVdgV9Gm
— UFC (@ufc) May 17, 2026
The First Fight and What’s Changed
McGregor and Holloway first fought in 2013 when both were rising stars in the UFC. McGregor won by unanimous decision despite tearing his ACL during the bout, using wrestling to control Holloway over three rounds.
Both fighters have changed dramatically since that meeting. McGregor became the first UFC fighter to hold two championship belts at once when he won the lightweight title in 2016. He also fought boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017.
Holloway, 34, has become one of the UFC’s most active fighters and now holds the record for most total time spent competing inside the octagon. He fought eight times while McGregor was away from the sport.
The rematch will take place at welterweight, meaning both fighters can weigh up to 171 pounds. Their first fight was at featherweight (145 pounds), and both have competed mostly at lightweight (155 pounds) in recent years.
Betting Lines Favor Holloway
Holloway has opened as better than a 5-1 betting favorite over McGregor. Several sportsbooks list McGregor as nearly a 4-1 underdog, an unusual position for a fighter who was once the UFC’s biggest draw.
Retired fighter Dustin Poirier, who completed trilogies against both men, offered his analysis of the matchup. “The thing is, Conor has the power,” Poirier said on the Deep Waters YouTube show. “Like, no matter the injury, (his punching power is) gonna be there still, the timing, a lot of other things matter but the power is gonna be there.”
Poirier also noted concerns about Holloway’s durability. “The thing that I keep thinking about is Max in his last three fights, he’s touched the canvas more times than he’s touched in his whole career,” he said. “Conor can punch and if Max’s chin is finally catching up to his style of fighting he does, Conor could put him down.”
Former UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal was less optimistic about McGregor’s chances. “I think Max smokes him like a brisket,” Masvidal said. “I think it’s a bad fight for Conor, confidence or no confidence.”
Poirier predicted the fight would be a striking battle. “This is going to be a fire fight,” he said. “Conor’s going to kickbox with him for 25 minutes.”
Holloway is coming off a five-round decision loss to Charles Oliveira in March. Oliveira used wrestling and ground control to win that fight.
McGregor has won only one fight since 2016 and has lost three of his last four bouts. The July 11 event will test whether the former champion can still compete at the highest level after such a long absence from the sport.
