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Tag: Conor McGregor

  • Conor McGregor’s UFC 329 Fight Is Already One Of The Hottest Tickets In Sports History

    Conor McGregor’s UFC 329 Fight Is Already One Of The Hottest Tickets In Sports History

    Conor McGregor’s UFC 329 comeback fight against Max Holloway at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 11 is already commanding extraordinary ticket prices, with the most expensive seats listed at $24,600 and the cheapest still available at $1,822.

    AXS is handling ticket sales for the event. Third-row seats near the octagon are going for up to $24,600, with fourth-row seats on the opposite side priced at $15,990. The cheapest floor seats still available are just over $7,300 each, while the $1,822 option sits in the very last row of the arena. None of the listed prices includes sales tax or fees.

    VIP packages through OnLocation, the event planning arm of TKO Group Holdings, have largely sold out. Both the Elite package with front row floor seats and the “Rising Star” package are gone, with six weeks remaining before fight night. Remaining VIP options start at $8,000 and $13,500 per person.

    McGregor has not competed since suffering a broken leg at UFC 264 in July 2021. The ticket demand reflects his status as the biggest individual draw in UFC history, even after a five-year absence.

  • Dustin Poirier Says He Would Come Out Of Retirement For A Fourth Fight With Conor McGregor

    Dustin Poirier Says He Would Come Out Of Retirement For A Fourth Fight With Conor McGregor

    Dustin Poirier says he would strongly consider coming out of retirement if a fourth fight with Conor McGregor became a realistic possibility.

    Poirier retired in 2025 following a fight with Max Holloway but told the Weighing In podcast he has not fully closed the door.

    “If it was realistic and they called me and said, ‘Hey,’ I would probably get back in the drug-testing protocol and get licensed again, yeah.”

    Poirier went 2-1 in his trilogy with McGregor, with McGregor suffering a broken leg in their third fight at UFC 264 in July 2021 — an injury that triggered his five-year absence. He assessed McGregor’s chances against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11 while noting a specific concern about Holloway’s recent durability.

    “Yeah, I don’t think Conor’s going to look as bad as Nate, that was really bad. I think the punching power’s going to be there regardless. The question for me is the timing, the athleticism, the movement, all those questions need to be answered. If his counter-punching and his timing is anywhere near what it was, he has a chance to beat Max. Look, I love Max, but the career he’s had and the longevity he’s had, he’s touched the canvas in his last three fights. That’s more than he’s touched it in his entire career. I just think time’s catching up with him. Conor can punch. No matter how long he’s been out, he still has the great equalizer and that’s power. Some guys are born with it.”

    Poirier acknowledged he still has six or seven fights remaining on his UFC contract but said retirement remains the right decision — even if part of him disagrees.

    “Some days I wake up and I really feel like this was the right decision, everything’s where it should be. Some days I wake up and I want to fight because I know I can beat these guys still. I don’t know if that ever goes.”

  • Conor McGregor Return Sends UFC 329 Ticket Prices Through The Roof Amid Near Sellout

    Conor McGregor Return Sends UFC 329 Ticket Prices Through The Roof Amid Near Sellout

    Conor McGregor’s long-awaited UFC return is already proving to be one of the biggest events in MMA history — and fans hoping to attend UFC 329 in Las Vegas may need deep pockets to witness it live.

    With “The Notorious” set to face former featherweight champion Max Holloway in a rematch on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena, early presale ticket prices for UFC Fight Club members have reportedly surfaced online, and the numbers are staggering even by McGregor standards.

    According to listings circulating on social media, front-row seats are priced above $43,000, while floor tickets are reportedly starting at over $4,000. Lower bowl seats are listed above $1,200, with even upper-level tickets crossing the $600 mark before public sales officially begin.

    Shortly after those prices surfaced, ticketing platform AXS also appeared to show the event as sold out during the early presale window, highlighting the enormous demand surrounding the former two-division champion’s comeback.

    While the prices are eye-catching, they are hardly unexpected for a McGregor comeback fight. UFC 329 marks the Irish superstar’s first appearance inside the Octagon in five years and serves as the centerpiece of International Fight Week in Las Vegas.

    The event is expected to bring a massive fight-week atmosphere back to the city, with additional attractions planned throughout the weekend, including the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony, ceremonial weigh-ins, fan events, and other combat sports showcases connected to the promotion.

    McGregor has not competed since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021, while Holloway enters the rematch looking to avenge his loss to “The Notorious” from their first meeting more than a decade ago.

    Even for fans unable to secure tickets inside the arena, UFC 329 is shaping up to be one of the promotion’s most heavily watched cards in years, fueled by McGregor’s return, the Holloway rivalry, and the spectacle surrounding International Fight Week.

    Public ticket sales are expected to open later this week, though demand is already appearing sky-high well before general access becomes available.

  • Matt Brown Laid Out The Full Stakes Of Conor McGregor’s UFC 329 Return And It Is Lot Of Pressure

    Matt Brown says simply making it to the cage for his UFC 329 fight against Max Holloway may matter as much as winning for Conor McGregor, and that a loss would effectively end his relevance as a world-class competitor.

    Brown addressed McGregor’s comeback on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, laying out the stakes plainly.

    “If he doesn’t make this walk, I think it’s going to be unanimous agreement he’s done and he’s never fighting again. If he doesn’t go in there and win, I think it’s going to be a unanimous agreement that no one wants to see him fight again either. Even if he looks good. He goes in, he actually fights Max Holloway, he loses, I don’t see anybody really interested in seeing him fight again. Of course, everybody will watch. He’s a big enough star, he could fight and lose the next five or 10 times and people will still watch. He’s a big enough star, that’s what’s going to happen, but the interest will wane hugely if he doesn’t make this walk and find a way to win. It’s a lot of pressure on his side.”

    Brown said a win over Holloway specifically would be significant given who Holloway has become since their first meeting.

    “Whether he wins or loses, I have to have some respect for Conor for taking the fight against Max Holloway. A known killer who has had a ton of success since last time they fought. If he goes in and makes that walk, that’s a gigantic risk for him. If he loses this fight, his relevance as a fighter drops dramatically. We’ll watch, he could fight another 10 times, I’m sure everyone would watch. But his relevance as a world-class competitor, pretty much drops off the map. Any fights he does after that is kind of like influencer fights or something along those lines.”

    Brown did acknowledge McGregor has a path to victory.

    “I can see the argument where you think Conor would have a good chance. For one, it’s at 170 and Conor has good power at 170. Max is hittable. He’s certainly a hittable guy. Conor has a win over him in the past. Max has been through the ringer. He’s got a lot of miles on those tires. I can see where you can make that argument where it’s not the worst matchup.”

    McGregor has not competed since suffering a broken leg at UFC 264 in July 2021. Holloway has competed eight times since then, all in main events or title fights.

  • Conor McGregor’s Manager Says UFC 329 Is The Start Of A Season: ‘He’s Looking To Stay Active’

    Conor McGregor’s Manager Says UFC 329 Is The Start Of A Season: ‘He’s Looking To Stay Active’

    Conor McGregor’s manager, Audie Attar, says UFC 329 is not a one-fight comeback and that McGregor intends to stay active following his July 11 return against Max Holloway.

    Attar spoke to MMA Junkie ahead of the welterweight main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    “I could tell you he’s looking to stay active. I could tell you that we had planned for a season during the COVID period, and that never got going, unfortunately. But this is the new season, and he’s definitely looking to stay active. We’re definitely looking forward to not only this fight, Max Holloway, July 11, and then that next fight — and we’re not going to wait a year, that’s for sure. And then we’ll see. We’ll see kind of what happens from there. I don’t think we’re looking too far ahead of things. We’re just taking it one step at a time as we should because Max Holloway is a formidable opponent, and we’ve got to go and handle business come July 11.”

    Attar acknowledged the challenge the fight presents after a five-year layoff but expressed confidence in McGregor’s preparation.

    “I think it’s a tough matchup. I think when you’re out as long as Conor’s been out for, you’re taking on a formidable opponent, same age, same experience, but one guy has been very active. But I’m also confident in the preparation Conor’s putting in. I’m confident in where his head and his heart is, and I’m confident that come fight night, that the fans are going to be very happy with that fight.”

    McGregor’s original comeback was scheduled against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 before he withdrew due to injury. A Nate Diaz trilogy was discussed before the Holloway rematch was finalized.

  • Dana White Has Direct Response To Anyone Who Thinks Conor McGregor Announcement Was Shot At MVP

    Dana White Has Direct Response To Anyone Who Thinks Conor McGregor Announcement Was Shot At MVP

    Dana White says the announcement of Conor McGregor’s return during the MVP MMA 1 broadcast had nothing to do with stealing attention from the Netflix event, insisting the deal was simply announced the moment it was finalized.

    White addressed the timing directly in an interview with Fred Talks Fighting.

    “Not a coincidence. I had a fcking fight here that night. Anybody who thinks that I gave a sht what was going on anywhere else is out of their fcking minds. We announced it as soon as we got it done, and we were in the middle of our event. I don’t give a fck what those guys are doing. You kidding me?”

    The announcement came as Francis Ngannou made his walkout to fight Philipe Lins on the Netflix card. Ngannou was asked about the timing after his knockout victory and echoed White’s indifference.

    “And what the f*ck do I have to do with that? So, I should stop my walkout and look at what’s going on? I don’t care, bro. Let’s move on. Life goes on. I’m doing my stuff here, I’m doing good. I have no problem. Everybody can do whatever he wants.”

    The announcement also coincided with the UFC Fight Night 276 broadcast in Las Vegas that same night.

  • Conor McGregor Wanted Michael Chandler For Comeback But UFC Didn’t Approve It

    Conor McGregor Wanted Michael Chandler For Comeback But UFC Didn’t Approve It

    Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return could have looked very different.

    While the former two-division champion is now set to face Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329 on July 11, new details reveal that wasn’t the original plan from his side.

    According to his longtime manager Audie Attar, McGregor had his sights set on settling unfinished business with Michael Chandler.

    Speaking to MMA Junkie, Attar explained that McGregor pushed hard to make the Chandler fight happen, especially given their history as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31 and the previously canceled bout at UFC 303 in June 2024.

    “Conor really wanted to give that to Michael Chandler,” Attar said. “He just felt Michael deserved it, having gone through the show and experienced that camp, the unfortunate injury, and the cancellation of the bout. Conor really, really wanted that to happen, and we did everything to try to push it.”

    Despite those efforts, the matchup never materialized — not because of a lack of interest from McGregor’s team, but due to the promotion’s direction at the time.

    “At the time, it just didn’t make sense for the UFC,” Attar added. “But it doesn’t mean that it might not happen in the future… It can become a reality.”

    Instead, negotiations shifted toward a different high-profile option, ultimately leading to the Holloway rematch. The two first met back in 2013, with McGregor earning a decision win, and the sequel now offers both familiarity and intrigue.

    “Like I said, we pushed for Chandler. That was our main focus initially,” Attar continued. “Different names surfaced in the conversations, and in the negotiations… from a Max Holloway perspective, we know we got one on Max, and he wants to get that back.”

    The weight class also played a role in shaping the final decision.

    “With the time Conor has been out, it just made sense to do it at 170,” Attar said. “Max was game right away and willing to step up and take the matchup.”

    For Chandler, the wait for a showdown with “The Notorious” continues, though Attar made it clear the door isn’t closed. Meanwhile, both fighters move forward with separate fights scheduled this summer, leaving fans to wonder if the long-teased clash could still happen down the line.

  • Conor McGregor Hints At Massive New UFC Deal Ahead Of July 11 Comeback – ‘They Honored Me, Finally’

    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.”

  • Ilia Topuria Trashes UFC 329 Main Event As ‘Sh*t Fight’ But Wants Conor McGregor To Win For One Big Reason

    Ilia Topuria may not be impressed by the matchup itself, but he knows exactly what’s at stake when Conor McGregor returns to face Max Holloway at UFC 329.

    Set for July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the highly anticipated rematch marks McGregor’s first appearance in the Octagon since 2021.

    While the bout has generated massive buzz, the reigning lightweight champion isn’t sold on its competitive appeal.

    “Wow, it’s a sh*t fight,” Topuria said in an interview with ESPN Deportes. “Conor, I think this is good for the sport. I personally think that he’s good for the sport because many people want to see him fight, and want to see one of the real stars of the UFC.”

    Topuria acknowledged McGregor’s drawing power but questioned where the real benefit lies.

    “I consider Conor one of the biggest stars in the UFC, but it’s one of those things that has its pros and cons,” he explained. “He’s on a downward slide, and the only one who really stands to gain anything from this fight isn’t UFC anymore, it’s him.”

    From a stylistic standpoint, Topuria expects a striking-heavy affair between the two former featherweight standouts.

    “It’s going to be a stand-up fight, I think, purely striking,” he said. “We’re not going to see any wrestling or ground game. Don’t think Conor’s much worse than Max. They’ll probably just go at it like two kittens, just touching hands and feeling each other out.”

    Despite his criticism, Topuria is backing McGregor to come out on top, pointing to their first meeting back in 2013, where the Irishman secured a unanimous decision victory.

    “I think Conor is going to win. They already fought once and Conor won,” Topuria said. “This time around, he could beat him, he should beat him.”

    His reasoning, however, isn’t entirely neutral.

    “In fact, if you ask me who I want to win, and what winner is best for me, it’s Conor,” Topuria admitted. “Because if he wins, and he takes one more fight, maybe we could end up fighting each other.”

    For now, Topuria remains focused on his own upcoming clash with Justin Gaethje, but he’s clearly keeping one eye on UFC 329 and what it could mean for his future.

  • Max Holloway Warns Doubters On Conor McGregor Ahead Of UFC 329

    Max Holloway Warns Doubters On Conor McGregor Ahead Of UFC 329

    Max Holloway says Conor McGregor is still dangerous heading into their UFC 329 rematch and warned that anyone writing off the Irishman is making a mistake.

    Holloway is a significant betting favorite for the July 11 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but speaking on his Kick stream, he made clear he is not taking McGregor lightly.

    “It’s a hard fight. Conor’s still dangerous. You’d be dumb as hell to think he’s not.”

    Holloway said he has known about the fight for several months and found it difficult to keep quiet. He also addressed fighting at welterweight for the first time in his career, noting one clear upside.

    “I’m excited. I get to eat good all of camp. I get to eat what I want to eat. Imagine I miss weight at 170? Holy sh*t.”

    On whether he expected McGregor to come out talking trash ahead of the fight, Holloway had a simple response.

    “Of course. Why wouldn’t his mic skills be the same? Why wouldn’t they be?”

    McGregor defeated Holloway in their first meeting at UFC Fight Night 26 in August 2013. McGregor has not competed since suffering a broken leg at UFC 264 in July 2021.

  • Conor McGregor’s First Statement On UFC 329 Return Sets Very High Bar For What Fans Should Expect

    Conor McGregor’s First Statement On UFC 329 Return Sets Very High Bar For What Fans Should Expect

    Conor McGregor says he is better than ever ahead of his UFC 329 return against Max Holloway and is relishing the chance to showcase his skills on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    McGregor broke his silence on Instagram following Dana White’s announcement of the fight, his first competitive appearance since suffering a broken leg at UFC 264 in July 2021.

    “Thank you for all the love, support, and encouragement over the last few days, people. I am feeling very energized entering intense training camp because of it. I am very grateful for the team I have around me. My coaches and training partners, we are all fully tuned in for the challenge at hand and it is a glorious time in our gym. I am better than ever, and I relish the opportunity to once again show my mastery in martial arts to the world.”

    McGregor defeated Holloway in their first meeting nearly 13 years ago at UFC Fight Night 26. Holloway enters the rematch coming off a lopsided decision loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 327 in March.

  • Georges St-Pierre Reveals What Conor McGregor Must Do In Training Camp To Prepare For Max Holloway

    Georges St-Pierre says it would “break his heart” to see Conor McGregor return at UFC 329 and not be the fighter he once was, while stressing the importance of McGregor putting himself in uncomfortable situations during training camp.

    McGregor faces Max Holloway on July 11 in Las Vegas after more than five years away from MMA. St-Pierre, who ended his own four-year layoff to submit Michael Bisping for the middleweight title in 2017, told MMA Junkie what he believes is essential for a successful return.

    “You need to make sure when you prepare yourself that you recreate that environment and that level of discomfort that you will face. If you stay in your comfort zone during your training camp, it’s not good. You need to make sure you bring guys that make you uncomfortable. I’m not only talking about skills and sparring. Sometimes it’s good to bring guys that you’ve never trained with, and you have the butterflies, and you don’t know how they move. ‘They’re dirty, and they’re going to try to hurt me.’ It’s important.”

    St-Pierre said he was not surprised McGregor chose a fight of this difficulty for his comeback.

    “He comes back for big things, and he doesn’t come back for small things. It’s appropriate. Of course, if I was in Conor’s camp I would say, ‘Strap in because it’s a hell of a fight.’ But he can do it. It’s going to be interesting.”

    Holloway has competed eight times since McGregor last fought, all in main events or title fights.

  • Eddie Alvarez Says Everything Tells Him Conor McGregor Can’t Beat Max Holloway — Except One Thing

    Eddie Alvarez says everything he believes about ring rust tells him Conor McGregor has no business beating Max Holloway at UFC 329, but left the door open based on one quality McGregor possesses that most fighters do not.

    Alvarez spoke to MMA Junkie ahead of the July 11 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where McGregor returns from a five-year absence. Alvarez compared stepping away from MMA to dropping out of a movie role mid-production.

    “I don’t like people taking off this sport. I think it’s dangerous when you put this sport down. It’s not something you can put down and pick up. It’s too dangerous, and when you’re fighting, I often compare it to someone who is getting ready for a movie role. You have to become the character. And once you’re in character then you go put on a good performance. But it takes a while to become that ruthless dog that you need to be in order to go in there and fight viciously the way we do. And you can’t just put it down and pick it up whenever you want. It takes a while to get into it.”

    Alvarez framed the inactivity gap as the central concern heading into the fight.

    “That comeback needs to be built in with a large amount of training, warm-up fights and things like that in order to build into a massive fight, especially coming back with a guy like Max Holloway. Max has been active. Max is younger. Max has been a lot more active and in the game and didn’t put the game down. You’re going against a guy that has been well fed, and he put the game down. He said, ‘I don’t want to do it right now anymore,’ and now he’s coming back. There’s a lot of guessing about Conor and the Conor we’re going to get to see. We’ll see.”

    Alvarez lost to McGregor by second-round TKO at UFC 205 in November 2016, the last meaningful win of McGregor’s MMA career and the fight that made him a two-division champion. Despite his concerns about the layoff, Alvarez said McGregor has one intangible that could change the equation entirely.

    “Conor has an obsessiveness about him that he can make up for years of not training in a short period of time that other guys don’t have. If anybody is able to come do this, it’ll be him. But it definitely to me would be one of the best comeback stories we’ve ever seen in the sport.”

    Holloway has competed eight times since McGregor last fought, all in main events or title fights.

  • Jorge Masvidal Did Not Hold Back When Asked About Conor McGregor’s Chances At UFC 329

    Jorge Masvidal says Max Holloway will “smoke Conor McGregor like a brisket” when the two meet at UFC 329 on July 11, pointing to the contrasting lifestyles of the two fighters as the deciding factor.

    McGregor returns from a five-year layoff at UFC 329 in Las Vegas during International Fight Week. Masvidal, speaking alongside Dustin Poirier on the Deep Waters podcast, was not interested in giving McGregor any chance.

    “I think Max smokes him like a brisket.”

    Masvidal elaborated on why he believes McGregor’s time away from discipline will cost him.

    “I think Conor lives a certain lifestyle we’ve all seen. You can kind of tell it’s not for show, and it’s really his lifestyle. Max lives a completely different lifestyle. I’ve never seen Max at the club drunk. You never see him in the headlines for anything bad. That guy lives a different life where he is in the gym, family, gym family. I think that’s gonna pay the biggest dividends. You can be away from the sport for five years and come back like nothing happened if you live that life.”

    McGregor last fought at UFC 264 in July 2021, suffering a broken leg in the first round against Poirier. Holloway is coming off a stretch in which he became a multiple-time featherweight champion and recently moved up to lightweight.

  • Dustin Poirier Raises Serious Question About Max Holloway Before Conor McGregor Fight

    Dustin Poirier says Conor McGregor will have a puncher’s chance against Max Holloway at UFC 329 and warned that Holloway’s chin may finally be showing signs of wear.

    Poirier, who has fought both men three times each, going 2-1 in both trilogies, spoke about the July 11 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on his Deep Waters podcast.

    “Conor has the power. No matter the injury that’s going to be there still, the timing — other things matter. But the power is going to be here. This is going to be a firefight. Oliveira was able to smother Holloway, which I was surprised by, because Max is hard to hold down. Conor is going to kickbox with him for 25 minutes. He has a puncher’s chance. Max for sure is a volume puncher, but at 155 when I fought him last, he has power behind his shots, and I’ve got to think at 170 he’s got to have even more power, because Max can punch now. He’s not just a volume puncher. He can finish fights.”

    While favoring Holloway overall, Poirier raised a concern about the Hawaiian’s durability heading into the fight.

    “The thing that I keep thinking about is in Max’s last three fights, he’s touched the canvas more times than he’s touched his whole career. Gaethje and Topuria dropped him, I dropped him. That’s his last few fights. If Max’s chin is finally catching up to the style of fighting he does, Conor could put him down.”

    McGregor, who turns 38 three days after UFC 329, last competed at UFC 264 in July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg in the first round of his trilogy fight with Poirier.

  • McGregor UFC 329 Odds Show Wild Public-Sharp Money Split

    Conor McGregor is back, and the early betting market on his return is telling two very different stories.

    UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Saturday night that Conor McGregor will rematch Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The five-round welterweight fight headlines International Fight Week and streams on Paramount+. It is McGregor’s first scheduled bout since he suffered a broken leg in his trilogy loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

    Within hours of the announcement, the early lines were posted. The split between public action and real money is staggering.

    Holloway A Heavy Favorite, Sharps All Over Him

    According to a BetMGM data card released Sunday, Holloway opened at -345 and has already been steamed to -550. McGregor opened at +250 and has drifted out to +350, by far the longest underdog price of his UFC career.

    The kicker is the split. BetMGM reports 95% of total bets are riding with McGregor, but only 1% of the handle (the total dollars wagered) is on him. Holloway sits at 5% of tickets and 99% of the money. That is the textbook profile of a public-versus-sharp split. Small bettors are stacking single-digit tickets on the Notorious one for the storyline, while professional money is hammering Holloway in size.

    Other books are even more aggressive. BetOnline opened Holloway at -450 and McGregor at +350. DraftKings opened the Hawaiian as a -500 favorite, with some offshore markets briefly touching -700 before settling.

    What’s Driving The Number

    McGregor (22-6) has not won a UFC fight since his 40-second knockout of Donald Cerrone in January 2020. He is 37, has not competed in nearly five years, and will be making just his fourth start at welterweight, where he is 2-1 (wins over Cerrone and Nate Diaz, plus the loss in Diaz 1).

    Holloway (27-9) is no longer the featherweight champion who put together a 13-fight winning streak after the first McGregor fight, but he has stayed active. He is coming off a wide decision loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 in March, and the 34-year-old former BMF titleholder will be making his welterweight debut, a 15-pound jump from lightweight. He still owns the UFC’s all-time records for significant strikes landed and total strikes landed.

    The pair first met on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26 in Boston, when a 25-year-old McGregor took a unanimous decision over a 21-year-old Holloway despite tearing his ACL during the fight. Holloway responded with a career-defining 13-fight unbeaten run. McGregor became the promotion’s biggest-ever star.

    Thirteen years later, the rematch is finally booked. The oddsmakers, and the bettors moving the largest tickets, are not betting on a sequel that mirrors the first.

  • UFC 329: Full Fight Card, Date, Time And Everything To Know About Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2

    UFC 329 is shaping up to be one of the biggest cards of the year, headlined by a long-awaited rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway.

    More than a decade after their first meeting, the two former champions will collide again, this time in a welterweight main event during International Fight Week.

    UFC 329: Date, Venue, And Start Time In The U.S.

    UFC 329 takes place on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    The event will be broadcast on Paramount+, with the early prelims kicking off at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the prelims at 7 p.m. ET. The main card is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET.

    McGregor vs. Holloway 2 Headlines a Stacked Card

    The UFC 329 main event sees Conor McGregor return after a long layoff to face Max Holloway. Their first meeting took place on August 17, 2013, when “The Notorious” secured a unanimous decision win early in his UFC run.

    The co-main event features Paddy Pimblett taking on Benoit Saint Denis in a crucial lightweight clash. Elsewhere on the card, Robert Whittaker makes his light heavyweight debut against Nikita Krylov. The event also features the highly anticipated UFC debut of Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, who faces Elisha Ellison in a heavyweight bout.

    UFC 329 Main Card

    • Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway (Welterweight)
    • Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoit Saint Denis (Lightweight)
    • Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista (Bantamweight)
    • Brandon Royval vs. Lone’er Kavanaugh (Flyweight)
    • Gable Steveson vs. Elisha Ellison (Heavyweight)

    UFC 329 Preliminary Card

    • Robert Whittaker vs. Nikita Krylov (Light Heavyweight)
    • Luke Riley vs. Kai Kamaka III (Featherweight)
    • Damian Pinas vs. Cesar Almeida (Middleweight)
    • Cody Garbrandt vs. Adrian Yanez (Bantamweight)

    UFC 329 Early Prelims

    • Tracy Cortez vs. Wang Cong (Women’s Flyweight)
    • Ode Osbourne vs. Cody Durden (Flyweight)
    • Ryan Gandra vs. Zach Reese (Middleweight)

  • UFC 329 Announcement Triggers Instant Beef Between Conor McGregor And Max Holloway

    Conor McGregor is officially back, and he is wasting no time reigniting old rivalries.

    The former two-division champion is set to face Max Holloway in a long-awaited rematch at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas. The bout, which will take place at welterweight, marks McGregor’s first appearance since 2021, when he suffered a devastating leg injury against Dustin Poirier.

    Shortly after the fight was announced, “The Notorious” jumped straight into promotion mode with a familiar dose of trash talk.

    “I’m going to son you, child. Again,” McGregor wrote on social media. “You’re going to put respect on my motherf*cking name.”

    The two first met back in 2013, when McGregor was just beginning his UFC journey. Despite suffering a torn ACL during the fight, the Irishman secured a unanimous decision victory over Holloway, who was also dealing with a significant ankle injury at the time.

    While the Irishman went on to become the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion, Holloway carved out his own legacy with a dominant run at featherweight, including a lengthy winning streak and multiple title defenses.

    Now, more than a decade later, “Blessed” is confident the outcome will be different.

    “Nah, big dog, you gonna put some respect on my name,” Holloway fired back. “We’re gonna find out Saturday night.”

  • Nate Diaz Had Surprising Reaction To Conor McGregor’s UFC Return Announcement

    Nate Diaz reacted calmly to the news of Conor McGregor’s return, saying the rematch with Max Holloway should have happened a long time ago.

    Diaz spoke to the media after MVP MMA 1 on Saturday night, where he lost to Mike Perry. He was asked about Dana White’s announcement of McGregor vs. Holloway 2 at UFC 329, made during the Netflix event.

    “That’s going to be a good fight, it’s about time. It’s a rematch, right? Because Conor was taking him down the last time, so that’s going to be a good fight.”

    Diaz then asked the media what they thought, before adding his own take.

    “It should have happened a long time ago, right?”

    McGregor and Holloway first fought at UFC 194 in December 2015, with Holloway winning by unanimous decision. McGregor has not competed since July 2021.

  • UFC Confirms Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2, UFC 329 Card

    UFC Confirms Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2, UFC 329 Card

    Those predicting a Conor McGregor announcement to counter the MVP MMA 1 card were proven correct.

    Before the UFC Vegas 117 main event, just as Francis Ngannou vs. Phillipe Lins was getting underway, the UFC dropped a promo confirming the second encounter between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway.

    The fight will headline UFC 329, which will take place on July 11 in Las Vegas, serving as the card for this year’s UFC International Fight Week. The bout, as reported by the New York Post, will take place at welterweight.

    This will be McGregor’s first fight in five years, having not fought since losing his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.

    Holloway last fought in March, dropping the BMF title to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326.

    UFC 329 Revealed, Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2 To Headline

    In addition to the main event, the broadcast also revealed the rest of the UFC 329 card.

    The co-main event will be a key lightweight matchup as Benoit Saint-Denis battles Paddy Pimblett. BSD comes into this bout on a four-fight win streak, most recently finishing Dan Hooker at UFC 325. Pimblett will enter this fight off his loss to Justin Gaethje in the interim lightweight title main event at UFC 324.

    UFC 329 will also feature the UFC debut of former Olympic gold medalist and multiple-time NCAA wrestling champion Gable Stevenson, as he takes on Elisha Ellison.

    The rest of the UFC 329 main card will feature Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista and Brandon Royval vs. Lone’er Kavanaugh.

    The prelims will be headlined by former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker taking on Nikita Krylov.

  • Conor McGregor WWE Crossover Plans Were Nixed

    Conor McGregor WWE Crossover Plans Were Nixed

    Former WWE star Enzo Amore recently revealed that Vince McMahon once pitched a major crossover storyline which would have seen him publicly antagonize former UFC Double Champion Conor McGregor.

    The payoff would’ve seen McGregor walking into WWE and destroying him on television. The angle never materialized, but Enzo said WWE seriously considered using him as the target for a potential celebrity squash match.

    Speaking on the Mic Check podcast, Enzo explained that after his split from Big Cass, WWE gave both men separate directions. Producers later told him the company was moving him toward the Cruiserweight Title scene, but Vince also wanted him taking shots at McGregor on social media.

    Enzo said Vince wanted him “barking loud” at the ‘Notorious’ because the payoff could have been massive if the UFC star walked into WWE and destroyed him. He noted it could have been the next greatest squash match of all time for a title.

    “When me and Big Cass broke up, he pulled us into a room. He gave Big Cass his direction, and he gave me my direction. Then I got pulled aside at TV another time by some of the producers of the show, letting me know, ‘We’re going in this direction with you with the cruiserweight title.’”

    “Vince wanted me tweeting at McGregor and barking loud, because what would have been better than me talking all this s*** and cutting promos with McGregor, and then him coming in and just taking my f****** head off?” Enzo said. “The place would have blown up, and it could have been the next greatest squash match of all time for a title.”

    He then revealed how that conversation with Vince went. Enzo noted that he was concerned about getting real heat with McGregor and possibly getting hurt. Still, his mindset at the time made him willing to go along with the idea.

    “I’m like, ‘Bro, I don’t want to get killed. I don’t want to get my ass kicked. I’m not trying to get real heat with McGregor,’” Enzo recalled. “But I was also crazy and didn’t really give a s*** at that time, and was like, ‘Hell yeah. Sounds about right, dude.’”

    The crossover never ended up happening. However, Enzo’s revelations made it clear that WWE had plans for using him as the target in a potential angle with McGregor.

  • UFC Finalizing Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway At UFC 329

    UFC Finalizing Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway At UFC 329

    After a saga for years that saw one fight fall through and reported contract disputes, the long hiatus of Conor McGregor may finally be coming to an end.

    Per a report from the New York Post, the UFC is close to finalizing a deal that will see McGregor return to the Octagon against Max Holloway.

    The UFC has not yet announced the bout. Rumors and speculation, however, plan for an announcement during tomorrow night’s UFC Vegas 117 broadcast — potentially as a way to draw attention away from the MVP MMA event.

    UFC CEO and President Dana White claimed during the UFC 328 post-fight press conference that he was more confident than ever that McGregor’s return announcement would be coming sooner rather than later.

    The bout, as previous rumors and reports have speculated, is expected to serve as the main event of UFC 329 on July 11, during the UFC’s International Fight Week.

    Of particular note, the bout is expected to be fought at welterweight. McGregor has fought once at 170 pounds, which occurred in his sub-minute finish of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in January 2020. Holloway, meanwhile, has never fought at 170 in the Octagon.

    The two first fought in August 2013, with McGregor winning by decision.

    This July marks five years since McGregor last fought in the UFC. That came at UFC 264 in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier, losing due to injury after one round.

    McGregor has since gone through various ventures, including taking part-ownership in BKFC and a failed bid at the Irish presidency. McGregor has also faced several sexual misconduct allegations, with an Irish jury finding him liable for the December 2018 rape of Nikita Hand.

    This will be Holloway’s first fight since losing the BMF title to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 this past March.

  • Nate Diaz Reveals Interest in Conor McGregor Trilogy Fight

    Nate Diaz Reveals Interest in Conor McGregor Trilogy Fight

    Nate Diaz has made it clear that his rivalry with Conor McGregor is unfinished business, and he has a very specific vision of how the third chapter should come together.

    Speaking with MMA Fighting ahead of his MVP MMA 1 fight with Mike Perry on Saturday, Diaz addressed the prospect of a McGregor trilogy fight directly and confirmed it remains very much on his radar, though he has no interest in being the opponent that serves as McGregor’s comeback vehicle.

    “F**k no I’m not done with Conor McGregor, that’s just waiting to happen. What I’m saying, I’m a real fighter. Conor McGregor, he’s fing still good, he’s still great. He’s f**king everything he says he is and what UFC says and all that. But I’m not going to let him fing test that out on me. I’m not trying to be part of this fing Conor McGregor comeback motherf*king story.”

    Diaz wants McGregor to prove himself again before they settle the trilogy, framing the dynamic in the language he is most comfortable with.

    “I don’t want to finish him off. Why don’t you come back and do your thing and when you’re doing your thing and I’m doing my thing then we’ll have our fing trilogy that you owe me from a long time ago anyway. I think about it like a fing bully. What are you going to do? Go fight the guy who got his leg broke off? Nah, let him make his comeback and do his thing and then go beat his ass.”

    Diaz and McGregor split their two-fight series one win apiece in 2016, with McGregor winning the rematch at UFC 202. A third fight has been discussed at various points over the following decade without ever materializing. McGregor is currently expected to return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas during International Fight Week, which would be his first competitive appearance since his leg fracture at UFC 264 in July 2021.

    Diaz returns to MMA competition on Saturday for the first time since 2022, facing Perry in the co-main event of MVP MMA 1 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Netflix.

  • Dana White Explains How Conor McGregor Will Be Compensated Under UFC’s New Paramount Deal

    Dana White Explains How Conor McGregor Will Be Compensated Under UFC’s New Paramount Deal

    Dana White has addressed one of the more interesting financial questions surrounding Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return, explaining that the UFC has developed a formula to compensate big-name fighters who previously earned pay-per-view points under the old model.

    The UFC launched its new $7.7 billion broadcast deal with Paramount in January 2026, effectively eliminating the traditional pay-per-view purchase requirement for numbered events. Those cards are now included with a Paramount+ subscription, fundamentally changing how fighters who previously earned a percentage of pay-per-view revenue are compensated. McGregor, who was among the sport’s biggest pay-per-view draws, stood to be among the most affected.

    Speaking at UFC 328’s post-fight press conference in Newark, White confirmed a new compensation structure is in place and that McGregor’s earnings under the new system reflect his historical drawing power.

    “There’s a formula to it. McGregor’s going to do just fine. It’s based on if you take the average of his pay-per-view buys, and what they do, there’s an equation for that that you can — we’ve done it with a lot more guys than just McGregor.”

    McGregor last competed at UFC 264 in July 2021, when he suffered a gruesome leg fracture in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier. In the five years since, his only scheduled fight was a bout against Michael Chandler planned for June 2024, which collapsed when McGregor withdrew with a broken toe just weeks before fight night.

    White reiterated his confidence that McGregor will return in 2026, though he confirmed no official deal has been signed at this stage. McGregor’s rumored return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11 during International Fight Week in Las Vegas remains the most discussed option for his comeback.

  • Ariel Helwani Predicts Imminent Conor McGregor Fight Announcement

    Ariel Helwani Predicts Imminent Conor McGregor Fight Announcement

    Ariel Helwani believes the UFC will announce Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon within the next 24 hours, potentially during or after UFC 328. The MMA journalist expressed confidence in his earlier reporting about the former two-division champion’s comeback.

    Helwani addressed skeptics of his previous McGregor report Friday night at a special live show he hosted in New York City.

    “He didn’t believe my report about Conor McGregor, and I’m about to rub it in his face when they announce it in the next 24 or so hours,” Helwani stated.

    UFC CEO Dana White recently fueled speculation about McGregor’s return. Earlier this week, White said he was “extremely confident” the fighter would compete this summer, citing “a lot of great things going on behind-the-scenes.”

    McGregor Training Footage Builds Anticipation

    McGregor has been inactive for nearly five years but continues to generate buzz with training footage on social media. At 37 years old, “The Notorious” posted recent clips showcasing his preparation.

    The former UFC double champion is rumored to face Max Holloway on the International Fight Week card. McGregor has also been the most tested fighter on the roster this year, suggesting an imminent return to competition.

    If Helwani’s prediction proves accurate, the announcement could come as early as this weekend during UFC 328 festivities.