UFC: Conor McGregor to fight Max Holloway in UFC return in July

Conor McGregor will return to action for the first time in five years when he faces Max Holloway in a welterweight bout at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on 11 July.

The 37-year-old Irishman has not fought since breaking his leg in defeat by Dustin Poirier in 2021.

He was scheduled to return against American Michael Chandler in 2024 but pulled out just over two weeks prior to the bout after breaking his toe.

The fight with Holloway is a rematch of their featherweight bout in 2013, which McGregor won on points.

Liverpudlian Paddy Pimblett will also fight at UFC 329 at the T-Mobile Arena, taking on Frenchman Benoit Saint Denis in his first bout since losing to Justin Gaethje in January.

Also is action is British flyweight Lone’er Kavanagh who faces Brandon Royval and the unbeaten Luke Riley who fights Kai Kamaka at featherweight.

Holloway, 34, is a difficult return opponent for McGregor as the Hawaiian has consistently competed at the highest level at lightweight in recent years.

One of the biggest MMA stars in history, McGregor has 22 wins and six defeats since making his debut in 2008.

McGregor was the UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight world champion after winning titles at featherweight in 2015 and lightweight in 2016, but his career has been dogged by controversy in recent years.

Last year he accepted an 18-month ban for violating the UFC’s anti-doping policy after missing three drugs tests within a 12-month period in 2024.

The ban, which was backdated to the third missed test in September 2024, concluded in March.

McGregor has been tested eleven times, external by Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) this year, which is more than any other fighter on the UFC’s roster.