McGregor Returns to UFC Octagon Against Holloway
Conor McGregor is set to make his return to the UFC octagon for the first time in five years, having officially weighed in at 170.5 pounds (77.3kg) for his upcoming fight against Max Holloway. The bout, dubbed McGregor vs. Holloway 2, is scheduled to headline UFC 329 on Saturday, concluding the International Fight Week festivities in Las Vegas.
The 37-year-old Irish fighter, with a professional record of 22-6 MMA, is making his comeback in the welterweight division. His last appearance in the UFC was in July 2021, when he sustained a broken tibia during a fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Since then, McGregor has faced various issues outside of the UFC.
Originally, McGregor was slated to return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024, following their rivalry on Ultimate Fighter 31, which aired in 2023. However, a toe injury led to the postponement of that match, and it was never rescheduled.
The Opponent and Past Encounters
His opponent, Max Holloway, a 34-year-old from Hawaii, weighed in at 170 pounds (77.1kg). This fight marks Holloway’s official debut in the welterweight division, after a significant career competing at 145lb (65.5kg) and 155lb (70.5kg) over more than a decade. Holloway, with a 27-9 MMA record, will be looking to even the series against McGregor, having lost to him via unanimous decision 13 years ago on a UFC Fight Night card.
The pre-fight events included some theatrics at Thursday’s news conference faceoff. McGregor reportedly snatched sunglasses from Holloway’s head and threw them to the ground. Holloway later posted on Twitter that the sunglasses were Oakley Meta glasses, which captured video of the incident, and he expressed that he would miss them.
McGregor’s return has been a topic of much discussion, particularly given his prolonged absence from the sport. His career has seen him become a former two-division champion, holding titles at both featherweight and lightweight.
The time between his last fight against Poirier and this weekend’s bout with Holloway represents McGregor’s longest absence from the octagon. During this period, his in-ring appearances became less frequent after a period that included an unprecedented pair of title wins, a rematch against Nate Diaz, and a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
McGregor’s Journey and Public Perception
For McGregor, the line between an exceptional athlete and a performance artist has been noted as blurred, particularly since his loss to Dustin Poirier five years ago. His return to mixed martial arts for this rematch with Holloway is seen by some as an effort to boost his finances and the financial standing of TKO Group Holdings, rather than solely to reclaim past glory or improve his global standing.
McGregor has stated, “I’m not here to win anyone back.” He also affirmed his identity, saying, “I am who I say I am. I am that I am.” However, a segment of the Irish public has reportedly turned against him due to various accusations, allegations, and convictions, including a civil jury finding him liable in a case involving Nikita Hand in 2018. McGregor denied these allegations and appealed the verdict, but to no avail.
His public image has also been affected by political stances, including comments on immigration. During a visit to the White House for St Patrick’s Day, remarks made by McGregor from the press room podium were condemned by Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin on social media, who stated they did not reflect the spirit of St Patrick’s Day or the views of the Irish people.
Despite these challenges, the UFC and its rights partner, Paramount+, continue to move forward with McGregor, recognizing his ability to generate significant interest. UFC president Dana White recounted a story from 2013, prior to McGregor’s signing, where Irish fans in Dublin advocated for McGregor to receive a contract. White, initially unaware of McGregor, learned he was a two-weight titleholder for Cage Warriors, a London-based promotion, and was in discussions to join the UFC as a featherweight.
McGregor’s 67-second knockout debut against Marcus Brimage convinced White of his potential. This victory led to McGregor being placed on a card in Boston, a location chosen for its proximity to Ireland. Days before his bout against Holloway in August 2013, McGregor appeared on a podcast, presenting a more subdued and serious demeanor than he would in later years.
Looking ahead, McGregor has expressed a desire to box again, citing potentially larger paydays in crossover fights compared to the UFC. He also discussed his current contract situation, mentioning to journalist Ariel Helwani in June that he has dates for his fights, with one scheduled for April 2027. This arrangement, he noted, was part of how his contract was structured. McGregor admitted that while the negotiation for his next two fights involved meeting in the middle, the terms might not fully reflect his perceived worth.
The weigh-ins for the event were broadcast. McGregor’s return is set to be a significant event for the UFC, with fans tuning in to see whether he can recapture his earlier form.
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Source: aljazeera.com
As NewsUK's Senior Football Correspondent, Thomas Beckwith reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on three World Cups for a national news agency. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Thomas lives in Sheffield, where he watches lower-league football most weekends. “Football writing is about the decisions, not just the result.”
