According to MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, a highly anticipated bout between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway is on the verge of being signed for UFC 329. Helwani shared this information on The Ariel Helwani Show this week, indicating that the fight is scheduled to headline International Fight Week on July 11th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Helwani initially broke the news of this potential matchup several weeks ago, also reporting McGregor’s planned return and opponent. UFC President Dana White has since confirmed that discussions are ongoing for a summer comeback, with July 11th being a strong possibility.
Ariel Helwani Confirms Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway Fight is Imminent for Las Vegas Return
This fight would serve as a rematch, with the two fighters having previously met 13 years ago. In 2013, McGregor secured a unanimous decision victory over Holloway in a featherweight bout. Since then, both fighters have competed in different weight classes. McGregor moved up to welterweight following his leg break in a fight against Dustin Poirier in 2021, while Holloway currently holds the BMF title in the lightweight division.
“It’s going to be Conor vs. Max. If you don’t believe me, you’re going to be proven wrong. As of right now, they’re on the goal line. Something awful has to happen for this fight not to come to fruition on July 11. That is the plan. It’s not quite one hundred per cent but it’s very close to one hundred per cent.”
Holloway is coming off a recent loss, having been defeated by Charles Oliveira via unanimous decision in a five-round fight at UFC 326 on March 7th, where Oliveira claimed the BMF belt. Prior to that, Holloway won a decision against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 last July. McGregor has not competed since his loss to Poirier, which resulted in a severe tibia and fibula fracture.
UFC 329 is scheduled to take place during International Fight Week, which runs from July 9th to 12th. The main card is set to begin at 6 p.m. ET on Paramount+ in Las Vegas. Speculation surrounding the fight has been fueled by a trailer for EA Sports UFC 6, which depicted Holloway knocking out McGregor.
Helwani remains confident in his report despite skepticism from some, including Chael Sonnen. He points to Holloway’s recent interviews, which he believes hint at the fight without explicit confirmation. While White has stated that no contracts are signed, Helwani insists it is the current plan. McGregor has reportedly been training for his return, and although he withdrew from a scheduled bout in June 2024 due to an injury, White characterized that issue as legitimate and separate from ongoing fight negotiations. Contracts reportedly remain unsigned on at least one side.
Helwani assesses the likelihood of the fight happening as very high, suggesting that only a significant unforeseen circumstance could prevent it. An official announcement could be made before the UFC’s event at the White House on June 14th. Fans are eagerly awaiting confirmation from the UFC for what is expected to be a highly anticipated five-round main event between McGregor and Holloway.
English Translation and Paraphrasing:
Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway Nearly Official for International Fight Week, Reports Ariel Helwani
Acclaimed MMA reporter Ariel Helwani has stated that a highly anticipated fight between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway is very close to being finalized for UFC 329. Helwani shared these insights on The Ariel Helwani Show this week, suggesting the bout will headline International Fight Week on July 11th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Helwani originally broke the news of this potential matchup weeks ago, detailing McGregor’s planned return and opponent. UFC President Dana White has since confirmed ongoing discussions for a summer comeback, with July 11th being a strong contender for the date.
This bout would mark a rematch, as McGregor and Holloway previously fought 13 years ago. In 2013, McGregor defeated Holloway by unanimous decision in a featherweight contest. Both fighters have since competed in different weight classes; McGregor moved up to welterweight after sustaining a leg injury against Dustin Poirier in 2021, while Holloway currently holds the BMF title at lightweight.
“It’s going to be Conor vs. Max. If you don’t believe me, you’re going to be proven wrong. As of right now, they’re on the goal line. Something awful has to happen for this fight not to come to fruition on July 11. That is the plan. It’s not quite one hundred per cent but it’s very close to one hundred per cent.”
Holloway is coming off a recent defeat, having lost a unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira over five rounds at UFC 326 on March 7th, in a fight for the BMF belt. Before that, Holloway won a decision against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 last July. McGregor has not competed since his loss to Poirier, during which he fractured his tibia and fibula.
UFC 329 falls within International Fight Week, which spans July 9th to 12th. The main card is scheduled to commence at 6 p.m. ET on Paramount+ from Las Vegas. Rumors surrounding the fight have been further fueled by a trailer for EA Sports UFC 6 that depicted Holloway knocking out McGregor.
Helwani remains firm in his reporting, even in the face of doubters like Chael Sonnen. He notes that Holloway’s recent interviews seem to allude to the fight without explicitly confirming it. While White has stated that nothing is officially signed, Helwani refers to it as the current plan. McGregor is reportedly training for his return; he withdrew from a June 2024 bout due to injury, a situation that White described as genuine and unrelated to the fight negotiations. Contracts are reportedly still unsigned by at least one party.
Helwani considers the odds of the fight happening to be very high, stating that only a major setback would prevent it now. An official announcement could be made prior to the UFC’s White House event on June 14th. Fans are awaiting official confirmation from the UFC for what is anticipated to be a high-drawing five-round main event between McGregor and Holloway.