McGregor set for UFC return against Holloway in Las Vegas

UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that Conor McGregor will return to the octagon to face Max Holloway on July 11 in Las Vegas. The bout has been designated as the main event for UFC 329, taking place during International Fight Week. This announcement ends a five-year absence for McGregor, who has not competed since July 2021.

The scheduled contest is a non-title welterweight fight and serves as a rematch of their August 2013 featherweight encounter. McGregor won that earlier bout by a three-round decision, although he suffered a torn ACL during the fight. The two fighters have previously split their other two matches prior to that initial 2013 contest.

McGregor, aged 37, holds a professional record of 22-6-0. His last appearance occurred on July 10, 2021, when he lost by technical knockout to Dustin Poirier after breaking his leg in the final seconds of the first round. He has recorded a 1-3 record in his last four bouts. An earlier attempt at a return in June 2024 was cancelled due to a toe injury sustained ahead of a scheduled match with Michael Chandler.

Holloway, 34, is a former featherweight champion with a professional record of 27-9-0. The Hawaii native has previously defeated notable opponents including Justin Gaethje, Jose Aldo, Dustin Poirier, and Frankie Edgar. He moved to the lightweight division in 2025 and is currently 1-1 in that weight class, having lost his most recent bout to Charles Oliveira by a five-round decision in March.

McGregor established himself as a historic figure in the sport in 2016, becoming the first UFC fighter to hold championships in two weight divisions simultaneously. He defeated Jose Aldo for the featherweight belt in December 2015 and Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight title in November 2016. The upcoming fight in Las Vegas will be his first step back into competition since his injury-plagued exit in 2021.