'I am better than ever': Conor McGregor shares big update ahead of UFC return against Max Holloway

Former UFC champion Conor McGregor is making a major push to reignite excitement ahead of his long-awaited UFC comeback. The outspoken Irish star is set to end a five-year absence from the Octagon when he faces Max Holloway in a rematch at UFC 329 on July 11 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight will also be McGregor’s first appearance on Paramount+. McGregor defeated Holloway in their first meeting more than ten years ago during his rise to UFC superstardom. Since then, he became one of the biggest names in combat sports history. However, his most recent fight ended in disappointment after he suffered a devastating leg injury in a loss to Dustin Poirier in 2021.

McGregor, 37, joined the UFC in 2013 and rapidly transformed into the promotion’s biggest global attraction. In 2016, he made history by becoming the first fighter to simultaneously hold two UFC titles after adding the lightweight championship to his featherweight belt. McGregor’s career later faced a setback when he accepted an 18-month suspension in October 2025 for multiple 'whereabouts failures' tied to missed anti-doping sample collections in 2024 under Combat Sports Anti-Doping regulations. The suspension was applied retroactively, allowing the Irish superstar to become eligible for competition again after the ban officially expired in March.

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"Thank you for all the love, support and encouragement over the last few days," McGregor wrote in a heartfelt post on Instagram. "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.

"I am better than ever, and I relish the opportunity to once again show my mastery in martial arts to the world."

McGregor has also added Nicolo Solli to his training camp. The welterweight fighter, nicknamed 'The Monkey King', owns a professional record of six wins, three losses, and one no-contest.

"Sparring with my long time training partner and friend, @nicolosolli_mma, who is in phenomenal condition pushing me hard, with coaches monitoring our every exchange."