Conor McGregor. The former two-division champion. Will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon on July 11 against Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329. The fight was officially announced during the UFC Vegas 117 broadcast and will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as part of the International Fight Week 2026. It marks the second time McGregor will face Holloway, with their first encounter occurring in August 2013, when McGregor won by unanimous decision despite suffering a torn ACL early in the fight.

McGregor’s Long Road Back

McGregor has been sidelined since July 2021, when he suffered a broken ankle in a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier. He was initially scheduled to return at UFC 303 in 2024 against Michael Chandler but had to withdraw after breaking a toe. The Irish fighter also faced an 18-month suspension for missing multiple drug tests, becoming eligible to compete again in March of this year. UFC president Dana White had previously opted to place other fighters on the White House card, which disappointed McGregor, though he remained committed to returning on another event.

McGregor has expressed his determination on social media, captioning a post with a photo from their first fight with the words: “You’re gonna put respect on my motherf—ing name.” He also dismissed the notion that the fight would be a difficult one for him, responding with a simple “Lol” to a tweet suggesting Holloway would be a dangerous opponent.

Holloway’s Response and the Bigger Picture

Holloway, who has remained active in the sport over the past five years, responded to McGregor’s post by sharing a clip from their 2013 fight. “Nah, big dog, you gonna put some respect on my name,” he wrote, referencing the head kick that dropped McGregor. Holloway also shared a promotional video for the UFC 329 main event, prompting a fiery reply from McGregor: “I’m gonna son you, child. Again.” Holloway shot back with, “We gonna find out Saturday night.”

UFC 329 will also feature the return of Paddy Pimblett, who will face Benoit Saint-Denis, and the debut of Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, who will take on Elisha Ellison. The event promises to be a star-studded night in Las Vegas, with the return of one of the UFC’s most iconic fighters as its centerpiece.