Las Vegas: Conor McGregor returns to UFC for Max Holloway rematch
McGregor’s Return to the Octagon
Conor McGregor is set to make his return to the UFC octagon for the first time in five years, facing Max Holloway in a highly anticipated rematch. The fight, dubbed McGregor vs Holloway 2, will headline UFC 329 in Las Vegas, concluding the International Fight Week festivities. This marks McGregor’s first professional bout since suffering a broken tibia against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
The 37-year-old Irishman officially weighed in at 170.5 pounds for the welterweight contest. His opponent, Max Holloway, a 34-year-old from Hawaii, weighed in at 170 pounds. This will be Holloway’s official welterweight debut, following a career that saw him compete at 145lb and 155lb.
The initial encounter between McGregor and Holloway took place 13 years ago on a UFC Fight Night card, where McGregor secured a unanimous decision victory against a then-up-and-coming Holloway. This rematch offers Holloway an opportunity to even the series.
Pre-Fight Anticipation and Context
The build-up to the fight has included some theatrics, notably at Thursday’s news conference faceoff. McGregor was seen taking sunglasses from Holloway’s head and throwing them to the ground. It was later revealed that the sunglasses were Oakley Meta glasses, which captured video of the incident, prompting Holloway to comment on social media about missing them.
McGregor’s return was initially planned for UFC 303 in June 2024 against Michael Chandler, intended to conclude their rivalry from The Ultimate Fighter 31. However, a toe injury forced the postponement of that match, and it was not rescheduled. His last fight was against Dustin Poirier, which resulted in his fourth stoppage loss in seven fights.
The fighter’s prolonged absence from the octagon has been marked by various issues outside of the UFC. According to one report, McGregor’s recovery from his catastrophic leg fracture involved the use of performance-enhancing drugs. His return to mixed martial arts is seen by some as an effort to boost his financial standing and contribute to TKO Group Holdings’s revenue.
Despite his current standing, McGregor remains a significant draw for the UFC, generating considerable public interest. UFC president Dana White has previously recounted how he first learned of McGregor in 2013, when Irish fans in Dublin’s Temple Bar advocated for him to receive a contract. White, initially unaware of McGregor despite his 14 professional fights, assumed he was a heavyweight due to the passion of his supporters.
After discovering McGregor was a two-weight titleholder for Cage Warriors and intended to compete as a featherweight, White was convinced of his potential to become a major star. McGregor’s 67-second knockout debut against Marcus Brimage in Stockholm, Sweden, further solidified this belief. This early success led to him being placed on a card in Boston, a location chosen for its proximity to Ireland to maximise fan engagement.
Legacy and Public Perception
McGregor’s career trajectory saw him become a celebrated figure, culminating in a 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo to claim the UFC featherweight championship in 2015. He also served as the main attraction in 10 of 11 pay-per-views he appeared on, helping to propel the UFC into the mainstream.
However, his public image has faced challenges in recent years. Accusations, allegations, and convictions have emerged during his time away from fighting. In one civil jury trial, McGregor was found to have raped a woman in 2018, a case in which he denied appeals. His political statements, including those on immigration, have also drawn criticism, with the Irish government condemning remarks he made from the White House’s press room podium during St Patrick’s Day in 2025.
Polls conducted last September, before he withdrew from the Irish presidential race, indicated that only a small percentage of Irish voters considered him a viable candidate for public office. Despite this, McGregor has maintained his intention to run again. The weigh-ins for UFC 329 on Friday are scheduled to be broadcast on CBS, with the event’s gate expected to surpass the company’s record of $21,892,245.
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Source: theguardian.com
As News GB's Senior Football Correspondent, Lewis Hartnell reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on south-coast football for a regional title. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Solent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Lewis lives in Southampton, where he watches youth football and follows the transfer market. “The week's training ground decides the weekend's headlines.”
