Conor McGregor returning to fight Max Holloway in July

Field Level Media|published: Sun 17th May, 24:37 2026

Jan 20, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; UFC fighter Conor McGregor is seen during inauguration ceremonies in Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 19, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Angelina Katsanis-Pool via Imagn Images

Conor McGregor, a big name in UFC despite not fighting since 2021, will return for a match with Max Holloway on July 11 in Las Vegas, UFC CEO Dana White announced on Saturday.

Ireland's McGregor (22-6-0) will face fellow former champion Holloway (27-9-0) in a nontitle welterweight bout as the main event of UFC 329 during International Fight Week. It's a rematch of their featherweight bout in August 2013, which McGregor won by three-round decision despite a torn ACL.

McGregor, 37, last fought on July 10, 2021, losing by TKO to Dustin Poirier after breaking his leg during the final seconds of the first round. The fighters had split two earlier matches in the trilogy.

Another return was canceled when McGregor sustained a toe injury before his match with Michael Chandler scheduled for June 2024.

McGregor became the first UFC fighter to be champion simultaneously in two weight divisions in 2016. He knocked out Jose Aldo for the featherweight belt in December 2015 and stopped Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight title in November 2016. He is 1-3 in his last four bouts.

Holloway, 34, is a former featherweight champion who has beaten Justin Gaethje, Aldo (twice), Poirier and Frankie Edgar. The Hawaii native is 1-1 since moving to lightweight in 2025, losing his last bout to Charles Oliveira by five-round decision in March.

--Field Level Media