The world of combat sports will come to a standstill this weekend as Conor McGregor makes his long-awaited return to the Octagon, where he will face Max Holloway for the second time at UFC 329 in the T-Mobile Arena on Sunday morning SA time.
CONOR McGREGOR vs MAX HOLLOWAY 2
— UFC (@ufc) July 4, 2026
LIVE JULY 11 at 9pmET on @ParamountPlus pic.twitter.com/rklosAs6uv
Main-card commences at 3am (CAT, GMT+2).
Fighting in the Welterweight division, McGregor (22-6-0) will take to the Octagon for the first time in five years, while Holloway (27-9-0) remained an active fighter in the Featherweight and Lightweight divisions.
It’s good to have you back @TheNotoriousMMA#UFC329 is LIVE JULY 11 at 9pmET on @ParamountPlus pic.twitter.com/ZhAl3Ys6H8
— UFC (@ufc) July 8, 2026
The two last fought 13 years ago during the embryonic stages of their UFC careers, as the Irishman claimed a unanimous decision win at UFC Fight Night 26 in Boston on 17 August, 2013.
While McGregor boasts a unique status as a double champ following title success in the Featherweight and Lightweight divisions, Holloway is a former BMF and Featherweight title holder.
Now 37, McGregor last took to the Octagon in 2021 where he suffered back-to-back Technical Knockout losses to Dustin Poirier at UFC257 and UFC264 respectively.
The Irishman’s most recent win came at UFC257 after he defeated Donald Cerrone via knockout in Las Vegas to claim the Performance of the Night award following a two-year layoff.
Holloway, 34, boasts a legendary career in the UFC and is widely known for his world class output and striking abilities.
Prepared to rise to the occasion 🤩
— UFC (@ufc) July 8, 2026
Watch @BlessedMMA get main-event ready on the full episode of #UFC329 Countdown: https://t.co/J5CCjGcZlV
[ LIVE JULY 11 at 9pmET on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/7h6RBLZSIe
‘The Blessed’ will be out to correct his step against the popular McGregor, while eyeing a return to the winning column following his Decision defeat against Charles Oliveira at UFC326 where he lost the popular BMF title.
While McGregor is a legend of the sport in his own right, Holloway claimed the scalps of high-level athletes such as Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Calvin Kattar and Jose Aldo throughout his illustrious career.
Speaking ahead of the fight, the brash talking McGregor was colourfull as ever while he questioned those who disregard him as one of the best MMA fighters in history.
“This ranking system for the greatest featherweights, I’ve beaten these men and haven’t been in the list,” McGregor said.
“How have I beaten these men easily, and handily, and yet been kept from the list? What is the skill? Who is the greatest? Who is the best? It is me, and the results show this.
“It’s not like the fights weren’t there, it was just elsewhere.
“It was divisional changes, which originally was not me! It was a fighter pulling out and things of that nature that led to it.
“I understand it, but I don’t agree with it. I am the greatest featherweight since Bruce Lee, and Saturday night I will show it.”
Let the show begin@TheNotoriousMMA has arrived for #UFC329 Fight Week!
— UFC (@ufc) July 8, 2026
[ LIVE JULY 11 at 9pmET on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/SjEmTdZR40
UFC 329 MAIN CARD
Conor McGregor v Max Holloway (Main event – Welterweight)
Benoit Saint-Denis v Paddy Pimblett (Co-main – Lightweight)
Cory Sandhagen v Mario Bautista (Bantamweight)
Brandon Royval v Lone’er Kavanagh (Flyweight)
King Green v Terrance McKinney (Lightweight)