The UFC 329 McGregor Holloway rematch on July 11, 2026, is the biggest fight announcement of the year. Conor McGregor returns after five years away to face former featherweight champion Max Holloway at welterweight during International Fight Week in Las Vegas. This ranking breaks down the five most anticipated UFC fights coming this summer, analyses each matchup and explains why they matter for the sport.
- McGregor vs Holloway headlines UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
- McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg against Poirier in July 2021.
- Holloway is a -455 favourite despite coming off a loss to Charles Oliveira.
1. McGregor vs Holloway 2 — UFC 329, July 11
The UFC 329 McGregor Holloway rematch is 13 years in the making. They first met in August 2013, when a 24-year-old McGregor earned a unanimous decision over Holloway in Boston — McGregor’s second UFC fight. Both men went on to become champions. Both became era-defining fighters. And now, at 37 and 34 respectively, they meet again at welterweight.
McGregor (22-6) has not competed since suffering a gruesome broken leg in the final seconds of his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. He has one win since 2016 — a 40-second knockout of Donald Cerrone in January 2020. He served an 18-month anti-doping suspension and became eligible to fight again on March 20, 2026. According to UFC.com, McGregor has headlined the four highest-selling pay-per-view events in MMA history.
Holloway (27-9) lost his BMF title to Charles Oliveira by decision at UFC 326 in March. The former featherweight champion’s legendary career includes 13 consecutive wins following his 2013 loss to McGregor, two title defences, and the knockout of Justin Gaethje in the dying seconds of UFC 300 — widely considered one of the greatest finishes in UFC history.
Holloway is a -455 favourite. Five years of ring rust, a 1-3 record in his last four octagon appearances and the move to 170 pounds all work against McGregor. But counting out the Irishman has been a losing proposition throughout his career. This fight will break pay-per-view records regardless of the result.
nn
The Weight Class Question
nn
UFC 329 takes place at welterweight, 170 pounds. McGregor made his name at featherweight (145 lbs) and lightweight (155 lbs). His only previous welterweight fight was the Cerrone knockout in January 2020. Holloway, similarly, has spent most of his career at featherweight and only moved up to lightweight in 2025. Neither fighter has extensive experience at 170 pounds, which adds another layer of uncertainty to a matchup already filled with unknowns.
nn
The move to welterweight likely benefits McGregor. He has struggled with weight cuts throughout his career and appeared visibly drained at 155 pounds in his later fights. At 170, he can carry his natural frame without the dehydration that saps power and cardio. Holloway’s advantages are different: his output, footwork and ability to maintain pace over five rounds translate across weight classes. His issue at 170 was the grappling of Oliveira — a problem McGregor is unlikely to replicate, given that his last successful takedown in a UFC fight came against Diego Brandao in 2014.
2. UFC Freedom 250 — June 14 at the White House
UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 is unprecedented: a UFC event held at the White House. The card has not been fully announced, but the spectacle alone places it among the most significant combat sports events of 2026. McGregor publicly campaigned for a spot on this card but was ultimately slotted into UFC 329 instead. Dana White described the event as a celebration of American combat sports, with multiple title fights expected. For our coverage of all UFC events, visit our MMA section, or read about how other sports are handling summer scheduling in our football coverage.
3. Chimaev vs Strickland — UFC 328 Aftermath
Khamzat Chimaev fought Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, in what was billed as the most dangerous middleweight contender against the former champion. According to ESPN MMA, the result of that bout shapes the entire middleweight title picture heading into the second half of 2026. Whoever won is in line for a shot at Dricus du Plessis’s 185-pound belt.
4. The Lightweight Title Picture After Oliveira’s BMF Defence
Charles Oliveira’s dominant victory over Holloway at UFC 326 reestablished the Brazilian as the most dangerous lightweight contender. At 36, Oliveira has won three consecutive fights since losing the lightweight title and is widely expected to receive a title shot against Islam Makhachev before the end of 2026. The lightweight division remains the deepest and most competitive weight class in the UFC, with Makhachev, Oliveira, Poirier, Gaethje and Arman Tsarukyan all in the conversation.
5. Topuria’s Featherweight Reign and the Next Challenger
Ilia Topuria became the first man to finish Max Holloway by knockout when he stopped the Hawaiian to defend the featherweight title. The Georgian-Spanish champion is undefeated at 16-0 and has cleared out the division’s top contenders. His next defence is expected against either Movsar Evloev or a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria’s reign has brought a new level of finishing ability to 145 pounds — every one of his title fights has ended inside the distance.
Our View at Unicorn Blogger: McGregor’s Return Is About Legacy, Not Rankings
We are not going to pretend Conor McGregor is the same fighter who knocked out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds in 2015. He is 37. He has not fought in five years. His last win was against a fighter on a six-fight losing streak. The McGregor who returns at UFC 329 is fighting for something different: the chance to prove he can still compete at the highest level, and the chance to close his career on his own terms rather than on a stretcher in a Las Vegas arena.
Holloway should win this fight. His technical striking, volume output and ability to execute a game plan over five rounds give him clear advantages over a version of McGregor who will be dealing with ring rust at a new weight class. But MMA is the sport of the unexpected, and McGregor’s left hand remains one of the most dangerous weapons in combat sports history. Our prediction: Holloway wins via TKO in Round 3, but McGregor makes it competitive for the first two rounds. Read more predictions across all sports on our MMA hub.
Key Takeaways
- McGregor returns July 11 at UFC 329 against Holloway — his first fight since July 2021.
- Holloway is a heavy -455 favourite despite coming off a loss to Oliveira.
- UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14 is unprecedented in combat sports.
- The lightweight division features the deepest talent pool in the UFC heading into summer 2026.
- Topuria’s undefeated featherweight reign has cleared the 145-pound division’s top contenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is McGregor vs Holloway at UFC 329?
McGregor vs Holloway is scheduled for July 11, 2026, as the main event of UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas during International Fight Week. The bout will be contested at the welterweight limit of 170 pounds.
Why has McGregor been out for five years?
McGregor broke his leg in the final seconds of his July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. After recovering, a scheduled 2024 return against Michael Chandler was cancelled due to a broken pinky toe. He also served an 18-month anti-doping suspension, becoming eligible to fight again on March 20, 2026.
What is Max Holloway’s recent record?
Holloway is 27-9 overall and lost his most recent fight to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 in March 2026. Before that, he defeated Dustin Poirier and produced the iconic last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. He is a former featherweight champion and BMF titleholder.
What is UFC Freedom 250?
UFC Freedom 250 is a UFC event scheduled for June 14, 2026, at the White House. It is the first combat sports event held at the presidential residence and is expected to feature multiple title fights on the card.
