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.