Conor McGregor returns for Max Holloway rematch at UFC 329 on July 11
· Yahoo Sports
After months (and even years) of speculation about whether it would ever happen, Conor McGregor once again has a UFC comeback fight on the books.
McGregor, who hasn't seen action since suffering a broken leg in his trilogy-fight loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC XX in July 2021, has agreed to make his octagon return in a rematch with Max Holloway in the UFC 329 main event on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (Paramount+).
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UFC CEO Dana White announced the anticipated McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) vs. Holloway (27-9 MMA, 23-9 UFC) rematch, which will takes place in the welterweight division, Saturday — right as former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was about to walk out in new UFC rival MVP MMA's debut event, which features a main event of Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.
McGregor, 37, has been scheduled for a return fight once before. He was booked to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in July 2024 after coaching "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series, but withdrew on less than three weeks' notice due to a toe injury.
"The Notorious" has spent nearly two years since claiming his next fight was just around the corner. He expected to fight at UFC Freedom 250 in June, but the promotion opted to keep him off the card.
Additionally, McGregor, who has long stated he has two fights left on his UFC contract, claimed his deal was "void" after the company moved away from the pay-per-view model in 2026 with its new U.S. rights agreement with Paramount.
It's unknown at this time if McGregor struck a new multi-fight deal with the UFC or if renegotiated terms would leave just one fight remaining after UFC 329 concludes.
Nevertheless, he will first have to share the cage with Holloway, 34, who the Irishman defeated by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 26 in August 2013. McGregor landed four takedowns in that fight, which carried him to the win after tearing his ACL in the first round.
Since losing that initial meeting, Holloway, No. 4 in the latest USA TODAY sports/MMA Junkie lightweight rankings, has gone on to establish himself as an all-time great. He claimed and defended the UFC featherweight title, the BMF title and has defeated the likes of Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Yair Rodriguez, Jose Aldo and more.
Holloway is coming off a unanimous decision defeat to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 in March, after which he declared his desire to avenge his loss to McGregor.
Now Holloway has been "Blessed" with his wish.
The latest UFC 329 lineup includes:
- Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway
- Mario Bautista vs Cory Sandhagen
- Cesar Almeida vs. Damian Pinas
- Gable Steveson vs. opponent TBA
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Conor McGregor returns: Max Holloway rematch official for UFC 329