This time it feels real. Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC’s Octagon has seemed real before, but this time, it really seems like it’s going to happen. On July 11 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, McGregor will take on future Hall of Famer Max “Blessed” Holloway in one of the most anticipated non-championship fights of all time. Let’s talk MMA.
Key Facts At A Glance
- Event: UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2
- Date & venue: Saturday, July 11, 2026, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, during International Fight Week
- Broadcast: Paramount+ (main card 9 p.m. ET)
- Main event: Conor McGregor (22-6) vs. Max Holloway (27-9), welterweight, five rounds
- Also on the card: Benoît Saint-Denis vs. Paddy Pimblett, Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista, Brandon Royval vs. Lone’er Kavanagh, King Green vs. Terrance McKinney
What’s at Stake For Conor McGregor at UFC 329?
While there’s no title on the line, McGregor’s reputation and status as a viable and believable threat is in question. He’s 37 and hasn’t fought in the Octagon since 2021. There’s a lot to prove to the world and perhaps even himself.
McGregor is 1-3 in his last four, and his most recent win came all the way back in January 2020 against Donald Cerrone. He opens as the longest-priced underdog of his UFC career, the market’s blunt verdict on a five-year layoff and a surgically repaired leg. Beat a prime Holloway at 170, though, and the door swings back open to the paydays he’s chased since the rematch became official.
What’s at Stake For Max Holloway at UFC 329?
Holloway doesn’t have as much to lose in this fight, quite honestly. He’s moving up to 170 pounds to fight a naturally bigger man. His place in history is secure and he’s not carrying the weight of a man with a persona as huge as McGregor. That said, he’ll be in it to win it, because he’s a warrior.
Holloway arrives 2-2 in his last four after being dominated by Charles Oliveira to lose the BMF title in March. His welterweight debut is a live experiment in whether his 6.9-significant-strikes-per-minute pace carries up two divisions against a bigger man. A statement win puts a Justin Gaethje rematch and other big names back in the conversation, even if the belt he wants sits a division below.
What Happened When McGregor and Holloway First Fought?
The two legends met back in 2013 and McGregor prevailed via unanimous decision.
That bout was a featherweight undercard fight at UFC Fight Night 26 in Boston, years before either man wore a belt. McGregor swept the scorecards despite tearing his ACL midway through, then sat out roughly 10 months to recover. Holloway has spent the decade since assembling one of the great featherweight résumés in company history, which is why a fight nobody circled in 2013 now headlines the biggest week on the UFC calendar.
What Comes Next After McGregor vs. Holloway 2?
McGregor has one more fight remaining on his UFC contract after he clashes with Holloway. He’ll likely attempt to get that done before the end of 2026. If he does re-sign with the UFC, he’ll be looking for a contract that doesn’t block him from participating in crossover events in boxing or bareknuckle.
That crossover ambition is already in motion. McGregor has floated big-money boxing and bareknuckle spectacles, and recently claimed Terence Crawford turned down a nine-figure two-fight deal to face him. Win or lose against Holloway, the more interesting question isn’t a UFC belt he’s unlikely to chase — it’s which promotion writes him the biggest check next.
