Conor McGregor’s last appearance in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) occurred in July 2021, at UFC 264. During that event, the former two-division champion suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in his fight against Dustin Poirier. Since that night, the landscape of professional mixed martial arts has undergone a comprehensive transformation, leaving the Irishman to return to a sport that has evolved significantly in his five-year absence.
The State of the UFC Roster and Championship Hierarchy
The promotion McGregor left in 2021 looked vastly different from the organization operating today. At the time of UFC 264, the championship landscape featured names that have since vacated their titles or moved on from the organization entirely. Francis Ngannou, Kamaru Usman, and Israel Adesanya, who were champions in 2021, are names that today seem far from wearing the crown again.
Some divisions have seen more stability. Alexander Volkanovski, who held the belt in 2021, continues to hold the belt in 2026. In the women’s divisions, the turnover has been more pronounced; while Valentina Shevchenko remains as queen, other long-reigning champions like Amanda Nunes have retired, and divisional leaders such as Rose Namajunas have lost the belt.
The Rise of a New Generation
Perhaps the most significant change is the influx of talent that was largely absent or unknown to the mainstream audience during McGregor’s last fight. Athletes who are currently household names and title contenders, such as Ilia Topuria and Dricus Du Plessis, were in the preliminary cards of UFC 264.
The evolution extends to the organizational structure and the emergence of new training factions. The rise of the “Fighting Nerds” camp in 2024 has introduced a new tactical layer to the sport, with several of their fighters breaking into the official rankings. Furthermore, fighters like Ian Garry, a current contender for the welterweight belt, and Paddy Pimblett, were not part of the UFC roster when McGregor last stepped into the octagon. Other notable figures, including Alex Pereira and Jack Della Maddalena, had not yet made their promotional debuts.
Shifting Power in the Pound-for-Pound Rankings
The pound-for-pound rankings, which serve as a barometer for the sport’s elite, have been repurposed. In July 2021, the top spots were occupied by Kamaru Usman and Amanda Nunes. Today, those positions are held by fighters like Islam Makhachev and Valentina Shevchenko. Makhachev, a double champion in the present, was still far from his first opportunity in 2021, with Thiago Moises as his last opponent.
The Challenge of Professionalization
The sport has shifted toward a more sophisticated style of combat. The UFC that McGregor returns to is a global ecosystem, more ferocious and professionalized. For a fighter who reached the sport’s zenith by revolutionizing the way MMA was marketed and fought, the current environment presents a rigorous test of longevity.
McGregor’s return is not merely a comeback; it is a measurement of his skills against a new guard that has spent years refining techniques and strategies in his absence. The tactical depth of the current roster means that the Irishman will be facing a version of the sport that is more competitive and structurally complex than the one he dominated in his prime.
Next Steps for the Irishman
As of late 2024, the focus remains on McGregor’s potential return to competition. While past negotiations for bouts—most notably a scheduled matchup against Michael Chandler that did not come to fruition—have stalled, the industry continues to speculate on his next opponent. Now, facing Max Holloway, McGregor must demonstrate that his name still holds the necessary authority to bend a world that has not stopped turning in his absence.
