Back
Sports

McGregor to Face Holloway at UFC 329 in First Fight Since 2021

Generated on: Last updated: 6 sources
View source

McGregor vs. Holloway II Set for UFC 329

Conor McGregor is scheduled to return to the UFC to face Max Holloway in a welterweight bout at UFC 329 on July 11, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight will be McGregor's first since July 2021.

"I am better than ever, and I relish the opportunity to once again show my mastery in martial arts to the world." — Conor McGregor

Event Details

Detail Information Date July 11, 2025 Venue T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas Weight Class Welterweight (170 pounds) Status Main event

Fighter Background

Conor McGregor

  • Record: 22 wins, 6 losses
  • Age: 37
  • Last fight: July 2021, lost to Dustin Poirier by TKO after breaking his leg
  • Has not won a fight since January 2020
  • Previously scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in July 2024 but withdrew due to a toe injury
  • Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion; first simultaneous two-weight champion in UFC history
  • Received an 18-month ban in 2024 for violating the UFC's anti-doping policy due to three missed drug tests within 12 months. The ban was backdated to September 2024 and ended in March 2025
  • Has been tested 11 times by the Committee for Safe Athletic Competition (CSAD) in 2025, the most of any UFC fighter
  • Holds the highest pay-per-view sales in UFC history, including 2.4 million buys for the Khabib Nurmagomedov fight and 1.8 million buys against Dustin Poirier
  • His 2017 boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. generated 4.3 million PPV buys and over $600 million in revenue
  • In 2019, pleaded guilty to assault for punching a man in a bar
  • In 2024, a civil court jury in Ireland found him liable for sexual assault and awarded the plaintiff 250,000 euros

Max Holloway

  • Record: 26 wins, 9 losses
  • Age: 34
  • Last fight: March 2025, lost to Charles Oliveira by unanimous decision
  • Has fought eight times since his 2013 bout with McGregor, winning five bouts including two BMF title victories
  • Previously fought primarily at featherweight and lightweight

Rematch History

McGregor and Holloway previously fought on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26 in Boston. McGregor won by unanimous decision. Since that fight, Holloway has been a top featherweight contender and briefly held the interim featherweight title.

Contract Status

According to journalist Ariel Helwani, the fight is part of McGregor's current UFC contract, which has two bouts remaining. The UFC offered McGregor a contract extension before this fight, which he declined.

After UFC 329, McGregor is expected to have one more fight on his contract, likely between January and June 2027. McGregor has publicly expressed interest in bare-knuckle boxing and professional boxing, options unavailable while under contract with the UFC.

Additional Bouts on Card

  • Paddy Pimblett (UK) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (France)
  • Lone'er Kavanagh (UK) vs. Brandon Royval (flyweight)
  • Luke Riley (UK) vs. Kai Kamaka (featherweight)

Announcement

UFC CEO Dana White announced the fight on April 5, 2025. McGregor stated on Instagram that he is satisfied with his new contract with the UFC.

Analysis from Retired UFC Fighter Matt Brown

If McGregor does not make the walk, it will be a sign he is done fighting.

If he loses, public interest in his fights may decrease significantly.

If he wins, he can re-enter the conversation as a legitimate top contender.

The fight at 170 pounds favors McGregor's power, but Holloway has the advantage in recent activity and experience. McGregor's path to victory exists due to his punching power and Holloway's defensive vulnerabilities, but Brown considered the fight a high-risk gamble for McGregor.