McGregor declares UFC gave him 'great deal' ahead of Holloway rematch at UFC 329

Conor McGregor has declared himself satisfied with a new deal struck with the UFC for his comeback fight against Max Holloway, headlining UFC 329 in Las Vegas on July 11. The bout marks McGregor’s first octagon appearance since he broke his leg in a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

Speaking in an interview with former Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill, McGregor said the promotion had finally honoured him. “I’ve got a great deal off the UFC. I’m very, very happy. They honored me, finally,” he said, adding: “The Mac is back, baby.”

The comments represent a notable shift in tone. Back in January, McGregor had publicly declared his contract “essentially void” after the UFC moved away from the traditional pay-per-view model to partner with a streaming service, arguing he was owed a new agreement as “the highest-generating PPV fighter of all time.” Four months on, a deal has been reached and a fight is booked.

McGregor, who turns 37 on July 17 — six days after UFC 329 — is winless since stopping Donald Cerrone in January 2020. He acknowledged the lengthy absence but insisted his body and mind are ready. “I’m out so long, five years. My body’s fresh, my mind is sharp,” he said. “I live in the gym.”

Holloway is a familiar opponent. McGregor defeated him in 2013 in what was the first time McGregor went the full distance in MMA. Since then, the trajectories of the two fighters have diverged sharply. Holloway has fought eight times in recent years, going 5-3 and claiming two BMF title victories — over Poirier and Justin Gaethje — while McGregor has not competed at all.

McGregor framed the experience gap as a non-issue, pointing instead to the mental preparation he has undergone for worst-case scenarios inside the cage. “If the ankle goes, if the knee goes, if the shoulder goes, what’s my response? Because the fight’s not over,” he said. “I have found as I have gotten more experience in the fight game to work my way backwards from the worst case scenario to the best case scenario. And then focus, focus, focus.”

Holloway, McGregor said, is “an established fighter, an accomplished fighter” and a “quality opponent,” but one he expects to handle in the same fashion as their first meeting. “Our last bout was martial arts mastery by yours truly, so I plan on doing it again.”