Conor McGregor Returns at UFC 329 Against Max Holloway After 5-Year Absence

Q: Can a 37-year-old Conor McGregor defy a five-year layoff and betting odds to defeat Max Holloway?

Yes, but only as a live underdog with a narrow path to victory. McGregor’s chance rests on whether he can still produce the early, fight-changing power that made him a champion. He beat Holloway in 2013, and even now his left hand remains the one factor oddsmakers cannot fully dismiss. Some market estimates have given him roughly a one-in-three chance, which is low but not hopeless. The evidence still points more strongly toward Holloway. McGregor is 37, has not fought since July 2021, and is returning from a severe leg break after a five-year layoff. He is also 1-3 in his last four UFC fights and is coming back at welterweight, where questions about speed, movement and cardio are sharper. A long absence at that age usually magnifies ring rust, timing issues and endurance problems. Holloway, 34, has been the more active and reliable elite fighter. He remains one of the UFC’s highest-volume strikers, has deep five-round experience and is widely seen as the steadier athlete over 25 minutes. Betting markets reflect that, making him a heavy favorite at around -455, with McGregor around +300 to +350. The matchup is not unwinnable for McGregor, especially if he lands clean early or finds a tactical wrinkle. But based on activity, age, recent form and conditioning concerns, the more likely outcome is Holloway surviving the danger and taking over as the fight goes long. McGregor can defy the odds, but the available evidence says it is unlikely.

3 articles · Updated · UFC · Jun 30

July 11 will mark McGregor’s first UFC fight since a broken leg stopped his Dustin Poirier trilogy bout at UFC 264 in 2021.
UFC 329 in Las Vegas pairs him with Max Holloway in a rematch of their 2013 meeting, giving McGregor a direct test against an established elite veteran.
The comeback follows years of return speculation, including a planned fight with Michael Chandler that never happened.
McGregor reenters a reshaped UFC, where stars such as Islam Makhachev, Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria rose during his absence while the promotion expanded globally.

Sources

UFC3d ago

Conor McGregor Returns to UFC 329 Against Max Holloway After Five-Year Absence

The Times of India11h ago

Conor McGregor sends chilling message to Max Hollaway ahead of UFC 329: "Danger will be everywhere" | MMA News - The Times of India

lasueur.com3d ago

Conor McGregor lance un avertissement à Max Holloway avant l'UFC 329

11 Sources

Is McGregor's comeback a final cash grab or the start of a new chapter for the UFC's biggest star?

Can a 37-year-old Conor McGregor defy a five-year layoff and betting odds to defeat Max Holloway?

What does McGregor’s controversial return reveal about the integrity of the UFC’s new anti-doping era?

UFC 329 Preview: McGregor vs. Holloway Rematch Set to Break Records and Reshape MMA Legacy on July 11, 2026

Overview

UFC 329, set for July 11, 2026, promises to be a landmark event in mixed martial arts, featuring the much-anticipated rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway. This fight is generating massive excitement, with many calling it potentially the biggest UFC bout ever. The stakes are high for both fighters: Holloway is driven to win a belt and prove himself, while McGregor returns with something to prove after years away from the octagon. The event also comes at a crucial time for the UFC, as the organization faces a decline in live gate revenue, making this showdown even more significant.

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