Ali Akbar Rosady
McGregor, the former two-division champion, is set to make his comeback at UFC 329 against Max Holloway in the main event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This event marks McGregor’s first competitive appearance in five years, following a leg injury sustained in his last bout against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. The fight against Holloway is not merely a one-off return; it signifies the penultimate chapter in his current contractual agreement with the UFC.
Speaking to Yahoo! Sports on Tuesday, McGregor outlined the unexpected timeline for his remaining fights. "Right now, I am contracted, and I have both dates," McGregor stated. "I have July 11 – when would you think they would put me back in? April, 2027! It’s almost a year later! That’s ridiculous to me!" This lengthy interval between his July comeback and his contractual finale in April 2027 has raised questions regarding the dynamics of high-profile fighter contracts and the UFC’s scheduling strategies.
When pressed on the rationale behind such a protracted layoff for his final contracted fight, McGregor attributed it to "the way the contract was done." He openly expressed dissatisfaction with the schedule, indicating a clear desire for more frequent activity. "I don’t care who the opponent is. Give it to me at the end of the year," McGregor asserted, advocating for a second fight in 2026. "July, end of year. Boom. Let’s go to a new deal. And then fcking April. How many weeks in a year? 50-fcking-2. So 52 fights, a fight a week. I want to get going here, and I hope to get going. Please, God, I fancy it. I fancy my ability to do it."
This sentiment underscores McGregor’s historical approach to competition, which, especially in his early UFC career, was characterized by high activity levels. From his UFC debut in April 2013 until November 2016, when he became the first simultaneous two-division champion, McGregor fought 10 times in just over three years. Following his historic win over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, his activity significantly decreased, with only four fights between November 2016 and July 2021. The proposed April 2027 date for his final contract bout would continue this trend of infrequent appearances, a stark contrast to his peak years.
Related News :
- Topuria’s Unbeaten Streak Halted: Matt Brown Warns of "Life-Changing" Impact After Gaethje Bout
- Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin Dismisses ‘Long-Term Concerns’ Over Aaron Rodgers’ Performance Amidst Recent Struggles
- Benavidez Dominates Ramirez to Claim Cruiserweight Titles, Renews Challenge to Alvarez
- Ben Askren Unpacks Strategic Origins of Bitter Rivalry with Jorge Masvidal Amidst Recent Reconciliation
- Islam Makhachev Tipped Scales at Nearly 190 Pounds on UFC 322 Fight Night, Highlighting Strategic Rehydration in Welterweight Debut.
The upcoming bout at UFC 329 holds immense significance for both fighters. For McGregor, "The Notorious," it is an opportunity to re-establish his dominance and remind the fighting world of his formidable skills after a prolonged absence. His last victory dates back to January 2020, a 40-second TKO win over Donald Cerrone. Since then, he suffered two consecutive TKO losses to Dustin Poirier in 2021. A victory against a top-tier opponent like Holloway is crucial for his standing in the lightweight division and for positioning himself for potential future title contention or high-profile matchups.
Max Holloway, known as "Blessed," enters this rematch with a considerably different career trajectory since their first encounter. The two first met in August 2013 at UFC Fight Night 26, a bout McGregor won by unanimous decision. At that time, both were rising stars in the featherweight division. Holloway has since gone on to become one of the most decorated featherweight champions in UFC history, holding the belt from 2017 to 2019 and defending it three times. He recently showcased his elite striking prowess with a stunning last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April 2024, claiming the symbolic "BMF" title. This victory highlighted Holloway’s continued evolution and cemented his status as a premier striker in the UFC. His current professional record stands at 26 wins and 7 losses, while McGregor’s is 22 wins and 6 losses. The rematch is a captivating narrative of two fighters whose careers have diverged and converged, with Holloway now a significantly more experienced and dangerous opponent than in their first meeting.
Beyond the immediate challenge of UFC 329, McGregor’s comments signal a pivotal juncture in his relationship with the UFC. The Irishman explicitly stated his intention to explore free agency upon the conclusion of his current contract, unless the promotion extends an "unbelievable deal" to retain his services. This stance places considerable pressure on the UFC to negotiate a new agreement that satisfies one of its biggest, if not the biggest, pay-per-view draws in history.
"I’m happy, to an extent," McGregor remarked regarding his current situation. "There’s a lot more there. I hope it’s with the UFC. I hope we come to something. I hope I get honored even more. I’m going to prove even more so what I’m about." He reflected on the negotiation process for his current terms, stating, "It wasn’t that difficult [to come to these terms]. We met in the middle. Was it what my worth is? Probably not. Was it what they wanted to offer, or what they offered? Definitely not. We met in the middle. I’m a fair operator. So that’s how I operate. I love the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and I’d love to continue. Let’s see how it goes."
The prospect of Conor McGregor entering free agency could reshape the landscape of combat sports. As one of the most commercially successful athletes in MMA history, his market value extends far beyond the octagon, encompassing lucrative endorsement deals and his own business ventures, such as Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey. Should he become a free agent, other major promotions like the Professional Fighters League (PFL) or Bellator MMA, as well as boxing promotions, could emerge as potential suitors, initiating a bidding war for his services. This scenario would test the UFC’s resolve to retain its biggest star, who has consistently delivered record-breaking pay-per-view numbers throughout his career.
Historically, the UFC has often been able to retain its top talent, but recent years have seen high-profile fighters like Francis Ngannou opt for free agency in pursuit of better terms and opportunities. McGregor’s decision to openly discuss free agency adds another layer of intrigue to his comeback narrative, suggesting that his future beyond April 2027 is far from guaranteed to remain within the UFC banner without a substantial new agreement.
For now, however, McGregor’s immediate focus remains squarely on his return to competition. "I have July 11," he reiterated. "It’s only around the corner. That’s positivity, happiness. I don’t want to go too much into all of that. I’ve got the fight, I’ve got the date, I feel great. Bring it on, baby. ‘The Mac’ is back! And I’m going to put on a show in this fight! This is a martial arts delight, this bout. This is a fan-favorite, iconic bout." His enthusiasm for the upcoming "martial arts delight" against Holloway is palpable, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most anticipated fights of the year. The outcome of this fight, and the subsequent performance in his final contracted bout in 2027, will undoubtedly play a critical role in determining the trajectory of his career and his future within or outside the UFC.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
Latest entries
MMAJune 18, 2026PFL Charlotte Set for August Showdown: Battle and Rosta Headline Crucial Middleweight Card
MMAJune 17, 2026UFC 330 Unveils Welterweight Championship Clash: Makhachev Faces Garry, Dern Defends Strawweight Title Against Robertson.
MMAJune 17, 2026Messi Equals World Cup Scoring Record; Shinnecock Hills Hosts U.S. Open Grand Slam Bid; NBA Offseason Anticipates LeBron’s Next Move
MMAJune 17, 2026Referee Herb Dean Faces Scrutiny After Defending Call in Controversial Ciryl Gane vs. Alex Pereira Bout at UFC White House.
Anshari Taslim
rifan muazin
Jonas Leo
