Conor McGregor is finally set to make his return this summer, after more than three years away from the Octagon. His last appearance was at UFC 264 in July of 2021, when he suffered a broken leg against Dustin Poirier.
Now, five years later, McGregor will headline International Fight Week, taking on Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas. This is a rematch over a decade in the making after their first meeting. Back then, McGregor came out on top in Boston. The fight with Holloway is a rematch of their featherweight bout in 2013, which McGregor won on points.
Holloway, 34, is a difficult return opponent for McGregor as the Hawaiian has consistently competed at the highest level at lightweight in recent years.
The co-main event will star Brit Paddy Pimblett taking on Benoit Saint-Denis in his first bout since losing to Justin Gaethje in January.
As exciting as this fight is going to be, there is another subtext that is just as interesting to follow. McGregor is coming to the end of his current UFC contract, with just two fights left before hitting free agency. And as far as his future goes, he doesn’t seem interested in signing any extensions.
Combat sports insider Ariel Helwani says Conor McGregor actually turned down a contract extension before finalizing his UFC 329 return.
During his time away from the sport, McGregor has been open about the possibility of fighting outside of the UFC. He’s spoken about a possible move into bare-knuckle boxing, and as a part-owner of BKFC, he’s already had plenty of involvement in that world.
He’s also suggested another run at professional boxing, where he previously fought Floyd Mayweather in 2017 and got a monster payday out of it. The problem is that both of those options are off-limits while he remains under contract with the UFC.
One of the biggest MMA stars in history, McGregor has 22 wins and six defeats since making his debut in 2008.
McGregor was the UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight world champion after winning titles at featherweight in 2015 and lightweight in 2016. But his career has been dogged by controversy in recent years. He is becoming truly “NOTORIOUS” like his nickname.
Last year he accepted an 18-month ban for violating the UFC’s anti-doping policy after missing three drugs tests within a 12-month period in 2024. The ban, which was backdated to the third missed test in September 2024, concluded in March.
McGregor has been tested 11 times, externally by Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) this year, which is more than any other fighter on the UFC’s roster.
In November 2024, McGregor was ordered to pay £206,000 in damages plus costs to Nikita Hand, who accused him of raping her in a hotel in Dublin in 2018. Ms. Hand announced in August her intention to sue McGregor and two other people for damages, alleging they engaged in malicious abuse of court processes.
Previously in 2018, McGregor was arrested in New York for throwing a metal dolly at the window of a bus carrying UFC fighters and staff.
A year later he was convicted and fined €1,000 (£850) for punching a man who rejected his offer of a drink in a Dublin pub.
If you ask us at SFL.media, Conor is going to walk when the contract is up. The UFC is known for underpaying. Now let’s make it clear, Conor doesn’t need the money. He is loaded from endorsements and business dealings. And as far as UFC fighters go, he is easily one of the highest paid. But that doesn’t mean he won’t check out another promotion.
If he indeed already refused to sign an extension, do you have to be a rocket scientist to know what he’s probably gonna do?
