McGregor eyes welterweight bout with Holloway, leaves lightweight title options open
Conor McGregor confirmed his return at UFC 329 against Max Holloway and said he remains open to future fights, including a possible lightweight title challenge, but will focus on competing at welterweight for now.
Conor McGregor will return to the Octagon at UFC 329 on July 11, where he is scheduled to face Max Holloway in a welterweight contest. The Irish fighter said he wants to stay active after recovering from a broken leg that kept him out for five years. While he acknowledged the recent upset win by new lightweight champion Justin Gaethje over Ilia Topuria, McGregor indicated he is not currently pursuing a fight with Gaethje and prefers to compete at 170 pounds.
"For sure [I can make a run at the title]," McGregor told Paramount, adding that he has already held the UFC's 155-pound unified title and is "open for business" at welterweight.
McGregor, who has two fights left on his current UFC contract, hinted that the promotion may schedule another bout for him in July and a further matchup as early as April 2027, though no details have been finalized. He emphasized a desire for regular competition rather than name-dropping specific opponents, stating, "I have just more so activity. I wish to just compete. I want the smoke. I want all the smoke. Bring it all on."
The fighter’s future opponents remain uncertain, but he reiterated his readiness to face any challenger once he completes the Holloway fight.