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Inside Conor McGregor’s Massive New UFC Agreement Ahead of the Max Holloway Clash
Conor McGregor and Max Holloway (Image Credits: Imagn)

For the last few years, every Conor McGregor comeback announcement came with an asterisk. Maybe he was injured. Maybe negotiations stalled. Or maybe the UFC wanted a different opponent. Maybe McGregor himself changed direction again. At some point, fans stopped taking the rumors seriously unless the UFC actually put out a poster.

McGregor is officially returning against Max Holloway at UFC 329 during International Fight Week in Las Vegas on July 11. It’ll be his first fight since the leg injury against Dustin Poirier in 2021.

But the fight announcement wasn’t the only thing that stood out. Around the same time, McGregor confirmed he had signed a new agreement with the UFC ahead of the event, calling it a “great deal.”  And honestly, the contract side of this story might be just as important as the fight itself.

McGregor Reportedly Reworked His Existing UFC Deal

One thing many people misunderstood during McGregor’s absence was the idea that he was no longer tied to the UFC. That wasn’t actually the case. McGregor was still under contract with the promotion, even while he was sidelined. The bigger issue seemed to be whether both sides could agree on updated terms for his return.

According to reports, the UFC pushed for a fresh long-term extension before finalizing the Holloway fight. McGregor reportedly turned that down. Instead, he’s believed to have renegotiated terms tied to the remaining fights on his current contract rather than locking himself into a completely new deal.

If he had signed a full extension, the UFC would’ve had long-term control over the rest of his fighting years. By sticking with a revised version of his current agreement, McGregor keeps his options open. If this comeback goes well, he’ll have even more leverage next time negotiations come around.

No fighter in MMA has consistently generated the kind of attention McGregor has over the last decade. Even during years without fighting, he remained one of the UFC’s biggest attractions. Whether people love him, hate him, or are just curious about what he looks like after all this time away, they still tune in.

While exact details haven’t been released publicly, there’s already speculation that the revised agreement includes stronger pay-per-view points and event-related bonuses tied to UFC 329. Nothing official has been confirmed, but it would make sense given the size of the event and McGregor’s drawing power.

The timing also works in McGregor’s favor. The UFC is entering another major business phase, with future media rights negotiations expected in the coming years. Having McGregor active again during that stretch is valuable for the company, especially during International Fight Week, which they usually stack with their biggest names. So even though McGregor hasn’t fought in years, this wasn’t a situation where the UFC held all the cards.

Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway Fight Could Answer a Lot of Questions

The first time McGregor and Holloway fought was back in 2013, before either man became a superstar. McGregor won by decision, but Holloway was still just a young prospect at the time. Holloway has spent the last several years staying active against elite competition and building one of the strongest resumes in the featherweight division. He’s still known for his pace, durability, and ability to drag opponents into exhausting fights.

McGregor, meanwhile, hasn’t won since the Donald Cerrone fight in early 2020 and hasn’t stepped into the cage since the Poirier injury. That’s why this comeback feels different from the usual McGregor hype cycle. There are genuine unknowns this time.

Nobody really knows how he’ll look after such a long layoff. Nobody knows whether the speed and timing are still there. And nobody knows how his body will respond once he’s back in a real fight again. McGregor, though, sounds confident as always. He recently said he feels “better than ever” going into camp and made it clear he still sees himself competing for titles.

If he beats Holloway, the UFC suddenly has a massive star back in the mix overnight. If he loses, the conversation about his future is likely to change for good. Either way, UFC 329 feels like one of those fights people will remember long after it’s over.

Frequently Asked Questions About Conor McGregor and Max Holloway

Q. What is Conor McGregor’s current UFC record?
Ans. Conor McGregor currently holds a professional MMA record of 22 wins and 6 losses. He has won UFC titles in both the featherweight and lightweight divisions.

Q. Has Max Holloway ever held a UFC championship?
Ans. Yes. Max Holloway is a former UFC featherweight champion who defended the title multiple times during his reign from 2017 to 2019.

Q. What weight class will Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway take place in?
Ans. The rematch is expected to take place at featherweight, the same division in which they first fought in 2013.

Q. How old were Conor McGregor and Max Holloway during their first fight?
Ans. McGregor was 25 when they first met in the UFC, while Holloway was only 21 and still early in his career.

Q. Who has more UFC finishes between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway?
Ans. McGregor is known for his knockout power and has more UFC knockout finishes, while Holloway has built his reputation through volume striking, endurance, and late-fight stoppages.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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