Sports
Conor McGregor is making his return to the UFC octagon
July 9, 2026
Conor McGregor is going to headline UFC 329 this Saturday, July 11, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, wrapping up the amazing International Fight Week. He’ll be up against Max “Blessed” Holloway, another MMA legend. It's going to be a wild fight!
Conor McGregor is gearing up to make a comeback after taking a five-year break from fighting. The last time we saw the 37-year-old Irishman in the ring was in July 2021, when he suffered a severe tibial fracture against Dustin Poirier. In interviews leading up to the event, McGregor has said that his leg is all healed up now, thanks to a titanium plate.
The fight is happening in the welterweight division (170 pounds), which is a big deal since it's Holloway's first time competing at this weight. Experts think this gives McGregor an edge because he won't have to go through the hassle of cutting weight to make 155 lbs. As a result, we can expect him to be in really good shape for this bout.
What challenges do both legends have to deal with, and what game plan should they use to win at UFC 329?
Conor McGregor: First-Round Firepower
For McGregor, the first three rounds are super important. In the past, he's shown that his physical abilities really start to drop off as the fight goes on.
The Irishman has some seriously sharp skills and a killer counterattack when the fight starts. If he can get his left hand on Holloway’s jaw early on, it could be game over.
McGregor is used to rolling with 170 pounds of muscle, having already fought guys like Nate Diaz and Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone at that weight. His punching power fits better in the welterweight division. Meanwhile, Holloway is stepping up to this division for the first time, coming from the 145 or 155-pound classes.
McGregor has some serious knockout power. Throughout his career, he’s taken out 19 fighters, with 14 of those finishes happening in the first round!
Plus, McGregor has a 5-inch reach advantage (74" vs. 69"), which means he’ll be able to keep his distance and set the pace right from the start.
But it won't be a walk in the park for McGregor. That extra muscle needs a lot more oxygen. If Conor goes all out trying to get a quick knockout in the first round and Max Holloway manages to hang in there, McGregor could find himself totally spent when it comes to the championship rounds (4 and 5).
Another big downside is the fracture he got on July 10, 2021, in his fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. That injury pretty much forced McGregor to hang up his gloves and retire from the octagon.
Going five years without actual combat really takes a toll on the Irish legend’s skills. It’s bound to mess with his striking, especially when it comes to range, reacting under pressure, and timing in fights.
McGregor's game plan:Should be all about controlling the pace. He shouldn't go crazy trying to get a knockout. Instead, he should throw some front kicks to the body to keep Max at a distance, use his reach to his advantage, and throw quick, powerful combos. It's all about conserving his energy and treating the fight like a chess match.
Max Holloway: Weaponized Attrition
The Hawaiian fighter is well-known for his stamina, high number of strikes, and tough chin. Most of his fights go the full distance, and he usually gets stronger as the fight goes on. This could be a tough test for McGregor, who will need to try to get a finish early on if he wants to come out on top.
For Max "Blessed," the real action kicks off in the third round. His game plan is to ride out the early intensity so he can hit his groove later on.
Max has only been knocked out once in his pro career—by Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 on October 26, 2024. Throughout his time in the sport, he's taken hits from some of the toughest punchers out there and always keeps pushing forward.
Knocking out Max Holloway is still considered a huge deal in the UFC world. He's only been knocked out once in his whole career!
Holloway has one of the best gas tanks in UFC history. He keeps going strong from the first round right through to the fifth. If the fight goes the full distance, he definitely has the upper hand.
During Conor's downtime, Max kept busy by fighting regularly at the top level. His reflexes, ability to manage distance, and overall fight rhythm are on point.
But Holloway might run into some issues because of the switch in divisions.
The Hawaiian fighter is going to have to take some big hits from a stronger and heavier McGregor. The real question is if his tough chin can stand up to the power of McGregor, who’s used to battling in the welterweight division.
Another thing to watch out for is the opening round. Max usually spends this time checking out his opponent's moves and tweaking his boxing style. But against Conor, a mistake in those first five minutes could really cost him the fight.
Holloway's game plan:Should be all about surviving and wearing his opponent down. Max needs to stay really mobile in the first couple of rounds, dodging in and out instead of just hanging out in front of Conor's left hand. He should focus on hitting McGregor's legs—especially the one that was broken before—and work on the body to slow him down. Once they hit the third round, Max has to turn up the pressure and throw a ton of strikes to overwhelm Conor.
