By Staff Reporter

Conor McGregor will make his long-awaited return to the UFC on July 11, ending a five-year absence from the Octagon in a blockbuster clash against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas.

UFC president Dana White confirmed on Saturday that the bout will headline International Fight Week as a non-title welterweight contest. The fight marks a rematch of their 2013 featherweight encounter, where McGregor defeated Holloway by unanimous decision despite suffering a torn ACL during the bout.

The Irish superstar, now 37, has not competed since his devastating leg injury loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. A planned comeback against Michael Chandler in 2024 was cancelled after McGregor suffered a toe injury during training.

Once the face of the UFC, McGregor made history in 2016 by becoming the promotion’s first simultaneous two-division champion after capturing featherweight and lightweight titles with victories over Jose Aldo and Eddie Alvarez. However, he has managed just one win in his last four appearances.

Holloway, 34, remains one of MMA’s most respected fighters. The former featherweight champion owns notable wins over Gaethje, Aldo, Poirier and Edgar, though he enters the contest following a decision loss to Charles Oliveira earlier this year.

The announcement has already generated huge excitement among MMA fans, with many eager to see whether McGregor can still compete at elite level after years away from active competition.