Conor McGregor confirms welterweight rematch against
Conor McGregor will return to the octagon to face Max Holloway in a welterweight rematch headlining UFC 329 on July 11, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) confirmed the bout anchors the 14th Annual UFC International Fight Week, a four-day celebration spanning multiple Las Vegas venues. This high-stakes encounter marks the first appearance for the former featherweight and lightweight champion since he broke his leg at UFC 264 in July 2021.
The festivities begin on Thursday, July 9, and continue through Sunday, July 12, involving activations at Resorts World Las Vegas and various MGM Resorts International properties. Fans can attend the UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony and the UFC 329 press conference at the T-Mobile Arena during the opening days. The week culminates in a Saturday night card where Holloway, a former featherweight champion, will make his debut in the 170-pound welterweight division.
Welterweight rematch headlines fourteenth annual International Fight Week
The headline fight at UFC 329 serves as a rematch of an August 2013 encounter at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen. In that first meeting, which took place in the featherweight division, McGregor secured a victory via unanimous decision. This second chapter sees both men competing in a higher weight class under significantly different career circumstances.
McGregor enters the contest ranked as the #4 welterweight but faces questions regarding his five-year absence from active competition. His last victory occurred in January 2020, a TKO win over Donald Cerrone. Since October 2018, the Irish fighter has posted a 1-3 record, including back-to-back TKO losses to Dustin Poirier.
Maintaining focus during such a long layoff is a challenge faced by many top-tier athletes across the sporting landscape. Similar mental hurdles are often seen in tennis, such as when Novak Djokovic meets Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to test his form after a break. McGregor must now prove his leg has fully healed following the catastrophic injury suffered nearly half a decade ago.
Holloway enters as betting favorite for welterweight debut
Despite McGregor’s global profile, betting markets currently favor the Hawaiian challenger as the fight approaches. Max Holloway opened as a significant favorite at approximately -400 and is now trading between -240 and -300 at most sportsbooks. This shift places McGregor as a +180 to +240 underdog, representing the longest underdog price of his professional career.
Prediction markets currently assign Holloway a 67% chance of winning, leaving McGregor with a 33% probability of success. Holloway has maintained a much higher activity level than his opponent, fighting eight times since McGregor’s last appearance. During that span, Holloway has recorded a 5-3 record against elite competition while preparing for this move to 170 pounds.
The move to a heavier division requires precise physical management to ensure speed and power remain balanced. Elite athletes often find the recovery process frustrating when they are sidelined from their primary competition. For instance, Gleyber Torres admits extended injury absence can be mentally draining, a sentiment McGregor likely shares after his long road back to the T-Mobile Arena.
Hall of Fame ceremony honors modern era mixed martial arts legends
The 2026 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will serve as the first major event of the week on Thursday, July 9. Scheduled for 4 p.m. PT at the T-Mobile Arena, the event is free and open to the public. Jon Anik will host the ceremony, which honors the athletes and contributors who defined the sport’s recent history.
The 2026 class includes several former champions who held gold in multiple weight classes or dominated their divisions. Dominick Cruz, the former UFC and WEC bantamweight champion, will be inducted alongside former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. Both men are celebrated for their technical innovations and long reigns at the top of the bantamweight and flyweight categories.
Former middleweight champion Chris Weidman also joins the Hall of Fame class this year. The ceremony will be available for fans globally through live streams on Paramount+ and UFC FIGHT PASS. Immediately following the inductions, the UFC 329 press conference will take place at 7 p.m. PT at the same venue.
Zhang and Jedrzejczyk war joins the Hall of Fame fight wing
The legendary strawweight championship bout between Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk will be inducted into the Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing. Their encounter at UFC 248 is recognized as the “Fight of the Year” for its high-paced striking and technical displays. It remains one of the most celebrated championship matches in the history of the strawweight division.
Additionally, the late Thomas Gerbasi will receive a posthumous induction into the Contributor Wing. Gerbasi served as a longtime UFC writer and editorial director, helping document the growth of the organization over several decades. His work provided the narrative backdrop for many of the athletes being honored alongside him this week.
Combat sports events and concerts expand Las Vegas schedule
UFC International Fight Week 2026 features a diverse schedule of events beyond the Saturday night pay-per-view. On Friday, July 10, the Bud Light UFC Summer Series will host a free concert featuring the electronic duo Loud Luxury. The performance takes place at Toshiba Plaza outside the T-Mobile Arena immediately after the ceremonial weigh-ins.
Retail opportunities also form a core part of the fan experience throughout the week. Official pop-up shops will operate at Park MGM and the Armory, located adjacent to the arena. These locations will offer exclusive International Fight Week merchandise from Wednesday, July 8, through Sunday, July 12.
The expansion of the UFC brand into different entertainment sectors reflects a broader trend of digitizing and diversifying sports assets. As companies look to the future, leaders like Brian Armstrong warn finance must move on-chain to keep up with modern market demands. This technological shift mirrors how the UFC has integrated digital platforms and diverse combat styles into its annual residency in Nevada.
Power Slap and Zuffa Boxing provide weekend alternatives
Fans in Las Vegas can also attend Power Slap 21 on Friday, July 10, at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. PT, with tickets available through Ticketmaster. This adds a different dimension of combat sport to the Friday night schedule preceding the main UFC card.
The action concludes on Sunday, July 12, with a Zuffa Boxing event held at the Meta APEX. This move signals the organization’s continued interest in the boxing market, providing a final event for fans before the week concludes. The Meta APEX venue frequently hosts smaller, focused combat sports cards and will serve as the hub for this Sunday finale.
Viewing parties and retail pop-ups center on Resorts World
Resorts World Las Vegas serves as the official partner for the 14th Annual UFC International Fight Week. The 3,506-room luxury property will host multiple official gatherings, including a viewing party for UFC 329 at RedTail on Saturday evening. Doors for the viewing event open at 5 p.m. PT as the main card gets underway.
Following the conclusion of the fights at the T-Mobile Arena, the official after-party will take place at Zouk Nightclub. Headlined by Meek Mill, the event is scheduled to start at 10:30 p.m. PT. These partnerships allow fans to remain immersed in the fight week atmosphere throughout the Las Vegas Strip.
UFC 329 itself follows a structured timeline on Saturday, July 11, with doors opening at 1 p.m. PDT. The early prelims start at 2 p.m. PDT, followed by the prelims at 4 p.m. PDT and the main card at 6 p.m. PDT. Fans globally can stream the entire event live on Paramount+ as McGregor and Holloway settle their decade-long rivalry.