Conor McGregor is finally set to make his long-awaited return, and it’s not just the fight that has him fired up — it’s the deal behind it.
After nearly five years away from the Octagon, the former two-division champion is scheduled to headline UFC 329 against Max Holloway on July 11 in Las Vegas. But behind the scenes, McGregor’s comeback hinged on something much bigger than just an opponent.
Earlier this year, “The Notorious” publicly stated that his previous contract had effectively become worthless following the UFC’s shift away from the traditional pay-per-view model in favor of a streaming deal with Paramount+. That change meant a renegotiation was inevitable for the promotion’s biggest draw.
Now, with the fight officially booked, McGregor has made it clear he’s satisfied with how things played out.
“The big fight is coming,” McGregor said in an interview with former Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill. “Let’s cheers to that. ‘The Mac’ is back, baby. Let’s go.”
Beyond the excitement of competing again, McGregor emphasized that the UFC delivered what he was looking for financially.
“I’ve got a great deal off the UFC. I’m very, very happy. They honored me, finally,” he added.
The Irishman hasn’t fought since suffering a leg injury in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier in 2021, and he hasn’t recorded a victory since his quick finish of Donald Cerrone in early 2020. Despite the long layoff, McGregor insists he’s returning in peak condition.
“I’m out so long, five years. My body’s fresh, my mind is sharp. I’m ready to come back,” he said. “Preparation has gone very well. We’re living, breathing, and sleeping in the gym.”
As for the matchup itself, McGregor is confident heading into a rematch with a familiar opponent.
“And the opponent is a man that I’ve beaten before in Max Holloway,” he said. “He is an established fighter, an accomplished fighter… This is a quality opponent. Our last bout was martial arts mastery by yours truly, so I plan on doing it again.”