Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2 ‘on the goal line’ for UFC 329

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 15: (L-R) Opponents Conor McGregor and Max Holloway face off during a UFC press conference at the Wang Theatre on August 15, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Conor McGregor will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since 2021 when he rematches Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11th.

That’s according to 15-time MMA Journalist of the Year Ariel Helwani, who is staking his reputation on a “Notorious” return for the International Fight Week event in Las Vegas.

“I was the first person to tell you that Conor was coming back. I was the first person to tell you that it’s gonna be Conor vs. Max,” Helwani said on the latest episode of his show. “I will never get wrong fight bookings and matchups. If you don’t believe me, you’re going to be proven wrong.”

“As of right now, they’re on the goal line,” he added. “Something awful has to happen for this fight not to come to fruition on July 11. That is the plan. It’s not quite 100%, but it’s very close to 100%.”

Helwani had previously stated that the McGregor vs. Holloway fight would be announced at UFC 328, but that didn’t happen.

“There’s no deal done with Conor,” UFC CEO Dana White said following the event. “I was just saying I’m confident. I was confident last year, too, but I’m way more confident this year.”