Conor McGregor is closing in on a stunning deal to return to the UFC after five years out, according to reports.
The New York Post claims McGregor, who has not competed since suffering a gruesome leg break in his 2021 defeat to Dustin Poirier, could be just days away from finalizing a long-awaited comeback, with old rival Max Holloway in line to face him.
It is believed the former opponents will collide for a second time on July 11 at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, with the rematch expected to take place at welterweight – which would mark Holloway’s debut up at 170lbs.
The report adds that an official announcement could come within a week, although there is ‘no rush’ as the 37-year-old McGregor is already ‘knee-deep’ in camp ahead of the bout.
Should it be agreed for July 11 within the next week, his return to the Octagon will be a mere eight weeks away.
It is unclear how many rounds the non-title contest will be agreed for, with McGregor’s team said to be keen on a three-round return in the past.
Conor McGregor is closing in on a stunning deal to return to the UFC after five years out
McGregor is set to return on July 11 in Las Vegas against former opponent Max Holloway
However, five-round fights are the norm for main events in the UFC, which may well explain the delay in announcing the rematch.
McGregor remains the richest UFC fighter in history after generating a net worth of more than $200million throughout his legendary career, in which he has picked up championship in two different weight classes.
Back in 2016, the Irishman became the first man to hold UFC titles in two divisions simultaneously after adding the Lightweight crown to his Featherweight championship with a win over Eddie Alvarez.
After a brief crossover into the boxing world for a money-spinning showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr., which ended in a stoppage defeat for him, McGregor was beaten in his own discipline by bitter nemesis Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018.
He then spent two years out of the Octagon before defeating Donald Cerrone in his comeback fight, only to suffer two losses to Poirier in the first seven months of 2021.
The second came in horrifying fashion after he broke his leg during the first round, bringing the trilogy bout to a premature end.
Since that nightmare injury, McGregor has flirted with a potential return frequently over the past five years, with a deal to return against Michael Chandler reportedly agreed at one stage.
He has also encountered various legal problems away from the MMA world in that time.
In September, McGregor asked Ireland’s Supreme Court to hear an appeal relating to a civil case in which a jury found in favor of Dublin woman Nikita Hand, who accused him of rape.
He got the better of Holloway via unanimous decision when they first met back in 2013
Ms Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, aged 35, successfully sued him in a civil court over an incident in which he was alleged to have ‘brutally raped and battered’ her in a penthouse at a south Dublin hotel in December 2018.
The jury found McGregor – who told the court he had consensual sex with Ms Hand – civilly liable for assault.
In January 2025, a woman accused McGregor in a lawsuit of sexually assaulting her after a Miami Heat NBA Finals game in 2023. McGregor denied the claims.
He also accepted an 18-month ban for a violation of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy in October of last year.
McGregor missed three attempted biological sample collections within a 12-month period in 2024, according to Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD).
His suspension began on September 20,2024 and concluded on March 20, 2026.
While the showdown with Chandler never materialized, UFC fans will be holding their breath as a deal to fight Holloway nears completion.
The Irishman, pictured with UFC President Dana White, has been out of the Octagon since 2021
McGregor’s last outing against Dustin Poirier five years ago saw him suffer a broken leg
The pair first locked horns all the way back in 2013 and ended with McGregor getting the better of their featherweight clash via unanimous decision.
When Dana White was asked on Saturday night if there are any new developments on McGregor coming back, he simply replied: ‘Same old. Yup.’
McGregor had previously talked up his chances of fighting on the historic White House card on June 14 and posted on X that he wanted ‘$100million and 100 golden visas for family and friends’.
It appears as though the former two-weight champion is training hard for a slightly later return in July, sharing plenty of content of himself in the gym on social media.