UFC 223: A Max Holloway win in main event may be what lures Conor McGregor back to fight
The last-second change may be just what the doctor ordered for UFC
www.cbssports.comHere’s the latest on Conor McGregor and Max Holloway based on recent reporting:
Direct update
- Multiple outlets in mid-May 2026 circulated reports that Conor McGregor was set to return to face Max Holloway at UFC 329 during International Fight Week, with Dana White publicly hinting at that matchup. These reports frame the fight as a high-profile rematch between two former champions and a marquee main event for a UFC card in Las Vegas.[2][3][4]
Context and timeline
- Holloway has publicly stated he’s training and preparing for a potential rematch with McGregor, and suggested a preferred date, though no official contract had been signed at that time. This aligns with prior patterns where both fighters have teased a blockbuster comeback against each other.[1]
- Reporters noted that the matchup would sit in the welterweight division for a special-event setting, reflecting McGregor’s return to competition after a years-long layoff and Holloway’s ongoing pursuit of high-stakes bouts.[3][2]
Alternative signals
- Other sources echoed the same potential where Holloway and McGregor were discussed as near-signing for International Fight Week, with some outlets presenting it as all-but-official pending formal confirmation from the UFC.[8]
- YouTube and media roundups during the period also emphasized the strong fan interest in McGregor’s return against Holloway, while noting that the UFC had several possible opponents under consideration for McGregor’s comeback.[9][10]
What this means
- If finalized, the McGregor–Holloway rematch would be one of the sport’s biggest spectacles given both fighters’ legacies and fan appeal. It would likely be positioned as a high-profile, non-title bout to maximize cross-division interest and pay-per-view impact.
Important note
- Release patterns around this topic included a mix of initial reports, speculation, and varying degrees of official confirmation; at the time of the latest reporting, official UFC confirmation and date details were not universally settled across outlets. I can pull in the most current official UFC statements or latest press releases if you’d like a precise, up-to-date confirmation.