LAS VEGAS, Nevada — One of the biggest blockbusters in mixed martial arts history has officially been signed. Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White announced that former two-weight world champion Conor McGregor will finally make his highly anticipated return to the Octagon to face Max “Blessed” Holloway in a massive non-title rematch.
The blockbuster showdown is locked in as the main event for UFC 329 on July 11, 2026, headlining the promotion’s annual International Fight Week at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The announcement marks the official end of McGregor’s long absence from active competitive mixed martial arts:
- The Five-Year Mark: When McGregor steps into the cage on July 11, it will have been exactly five years and one day since his last appearance—a technical knockout loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, where the Irishman suffered a severe broken leg.
- Navigating Past Hurdles: McGregor (22-6) was initially slated to return against Michael Chandler in June 2024, but a broken toe canceled the bout. He subsequently served an 18-month retroactive suspension for anti-doping whereabouts failures in 2024, a restriction that officially expired in March 2026. Data shows McGregor has been tested 11 times this year to clear his path back to active status.
The July matchup serves as a sequel 13 years in the making, tracing back to the early chapters of both fighters’ legendary careers:
- The 2013 Encounter: A young McGregor first crossed paths with Holloway on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26. Despite tearing his ACL mid-fight, McGregor gritted out a unanimous decision victory by pivoting to a surprise wrestling and grappling showcase.
- The Modern Stakes: Unlike their initial encounter at featherweight, the rematch is scheduled to take place at a higher weight class (lightweight/welterweight). Holloway (27-9), now 34, has remained exceptionally sharp and active at the elite level, making him an incredibly dangerous and highly anticipated test for the returning 37-year-old “Notorious.”
With International Fight Week serving as the backdrop, the event is tracking to be one of the highest-grossing spectacles in combat sports history, revitalizing the UFC’s summer pay-per-view slate.