Conor McGregor makes long-awaited UFC return at UFC 329 vs Holloway
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Almost five years after his last walk to the Octagon, Conor McGregor made his long-awaited UFC return against fellow MMA star Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329 in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
McGregor opened up aggressively and attempted a running shot before scoring a header moments later. He appeared to slip on both attempts. Holloway quickly capitalized after the second, taking the top spot and landing a right hand before McGregor could get to his feet.
After a few minutes, McGregor hit the canvas again after trying to kick with his right leg, which appeared to be bent underneath him.
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Ireland’s Conor McGregor joins the strike before facing USA’s Max Holloway in their heavyweight bout during UFC 329 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)
The official inside the Octagon called off the fight moments later, giving Holloway a TKO victory.
During the broadcast, UFC CEO Dana White pointed out the first round replay that showed the moment McGregor was injured. The apparent injury was not the same leg that McGregor broke during his fight against Dustin Poirier in 2021, leading to an extended absence from the Octagon.
The defeat extended McGregor’s long winless streak, with his last UFC victory coming with a first-round knockout against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in January 2020.
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McGregor won a unanimous decision over Holloway in a featherweight bout in 2013, when neither were MMA megastars. In the blink of an eye, McGregor’s star rose.
Conor McGregor and Max Holloway face off during the UFC 329 ceremonial weigh-in at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
On Wednesday, he admitted he was caught up in his own fame after winning UFC belts in two weight classes and becoming one of the biggest names in combat sports.
“I launched Irish whiskey,” McGregor said. “I didn’t drink very much at that time in my life. I was an athlete at the top of my game. Next thing you know, I have thousands and thousands of bottles in my garage.
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“‘Sell this, Conor.’ Okay, I’d leave the property with two bottles under my arm, that’s all. I was caught. And I wasn’t used to it. That’s it. God taught me these lessons. That’s it. “I was set up and caught, that’s what happened.”
Conor McGregor jumps into the air to deliver a kick while fighting Max Holloway in their heavyweight bout at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (John Locher/AP)
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Perhaps that’s easier said than done, considering the controversial former champion has been embroiled in many controversies and legal issues over the past few years.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
