McGregor nears – Conor McGregor is reportedly days from finalizing his UFC comeback after five years out, with Max Holloway set to be his opponent for a planned rematch on July 11 at UFC 329 in Las Vegas.
Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the UFC could be closer than anyone expected, with reports claiming the former two-division champion is now “days away” from locking in a deal after five years away from competition.
The New York Post reports McGregor has been “knee-deep” in camp and could get an official announcement within a week, though his team is said to be in no hurry. McGregor, 37, hasn’t fought since suffering a gruesome leg break in his 2021 defeat to Dustin Poirier.
If the July 11 agreement is reached, the fight would take place at UFC 329 in Las Vegas. The report adds that old rival Max Holloway is expected to be in line to face McGregor for a second time.
A welterweight rematch is the expectation, which would mark Holloway’s debut at 170lbs. The report also suggests McGregor’s comeback would arrive just eight weeks after the deal is finalized if it is confirmed within the next week.
One lingering question is how many rounds the non-title contest would be. McGregor’s team is said to have previously been keen on a three-round return, even as five-round main events are the norm in the UFC, a factor that may help explain why an announcement could take a little longer.
McGregor’s standing in the sport remains enormous even after time away. He is still described as the richest UFC fighter in history, having built a net worth of more than $200million across his career.
His championship run includes a landmark moment in 2016 when he became the first fighter to hold UFC titles in two divisions simultaneously. He won the Lightweight crown by beating Eddie Alvarez after already holding Featherweight gold.
McGregor later crossed into boxing for a high-profile bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr., which ended in a stoppage defeat for him. In MMA, he was beaten by Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018, then spent two years out before returning to defeat Donald Cerrone.
His run in the period leading up to his latest absence ultimately ended with two losses to Poirier in the first seven months of 2021.
Conor McGregor UFC return Max Holloway UFC 329 July 11 Las Vegas Dustin Poirier welterweight rematch