UFC President Dana White announced Conor McGregor's highly anticipated return to the octagon on 16/5 during MVP's first MMA event streamed on Netflix. McGregor is set to face Max Holloway at UFC 329 on 11/7. This welterweight bout will headline the annual International Fight Week, marking McGregor's comeback after a five-year hiatus.

Conor McGregor will meet Max Holloway at UFC 329 on 11/7. Photo: UFC

The Irish fighter's absence stemmed from an ankle injury and a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 7/2021. McGregor holds a professional record of 22 wins and 6 losses. He previously captured both the UFC featherweight and lightweight championships, making him the first fighter to simultaneously hold titles in two weight divisions.

Despite securing only one victory since 2016, McGregor remains UFC's most significant draw. His reputation for engaging trash talk and frequent hints of a comeback consistently capture the attention of MMA fans. He is recognized as a pay-per-view king, having headlined five of the highest-grossing UFC events. Forbes ranked him as the world's highest-paid athlete in 2021, with 180 million USD. He also appeared on the 2018 list, earning 99 million USD and ranking fourth.

UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor poses on the scale during the official weigh-in at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 25/8/2017. Photo: Reuters

McGregor's boxing match against Floyd Mayweather in 8/2017 further cemented his superstar status in the sports industry. Although he lost to the American boxer, McGregor earned 100 million USD from the exhibition-heavy bout.

During his time away from the octagon, McGregor faced several legal challenges. In 2024, a court found him liable in a sexual assault lawsuit in Dublin, relating to allegations from 2018. Additionally, a lawsuit alleging assault at the Kaseya Center after NBA Finals Game 4 in 2023 was dismissed in late 2025.

McGregor's opponent, Max Holloway, is a former featherweight (65,8 kg) champion. Holloway previously lost to McGregor in 2013, a fight where McGregor secured a victory despite a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), largely due to his grappling superiority. Unlike McGregor, Holloway has maintained an active fighting schedule, competing in seven bouts since 2022. He defeated Poirier in 7/2025 to claim the BMF belt, before losing the title to Charles Oliveira in 3/2026.

White also confirmed other matchups for UFC 329: Paddy Pimblett against Benoit Saint-Denis, and promising wrestler Gable Steveson's UFC debut against Elisha Ellison.

Compiled by Hong Duy