Conor McGregor successfully weighed in at 170.5 pounds on Friday for his welterweight rematch against Max Holloway at UFC 329. The event, held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, marks McGregor’s first professional appearance since July 2021, following a series of injury setbacks and personal legal issues.
UFC 329 Weigh-in and Return to Competition
Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon is officially set for Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. The former two-division champion tipped the scales at 170.5 pounds, utilizing the standard one-pound allowance granted for non-title bouts. His opponent, Max Holloway, weighed in at 170 pounds. Holloway was the first fighter to weigh-in Friday morning, followed by Cory Sandhagen and then McGregor.
This appearance represents McGregor’s first time stepping to the scale since his last event. His last trip to the cage took place at UFC 264 in July 2021, where he suffered a broken leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier. Subsequent attempts to return were thwarted, most notably a scheduled fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024, which was canceled due to a toe injury. Beyond physical hurdles, McGregor was found liable for sexual assault in a civil suit in November 2024. Additionally, former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has publicly called on the US Ambassador to Ireland, Ed Walsh, to apologize for posing for pictures in a pub owned by the fighter, with Mr. Varadkar accusing Mr. Walsh of “damaging US-Irish relations” and urging him to invite McGregor’s victim, Nikita Hand, to his Phoenix Park residence in Dublin.
History Between McGregor and Holloway
The matchup serves as a rematch of a contest that occurred early in both fighters’ careers. McGregor and Holloway first squared off in August 2013, when both were up-and-coming prospects in the featherweight division. McGregor secured a unanimous decision victory in that initial meeting. Since then, McGregor has secured a decorated history in the sport, serving as a former UFC lightweight champion and a former UFC featherweight champion. His background includes holding the Cage Warriors 145lb and 155lb championships consecutively. He is also a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, lists the Rear Naked Choke as his favorite grappling technique, and the knee as his favorite striking technique.
McGregor’s career path has been defined by his climb through the ranks, starting from his early days as a plumber for one year before quitting to pursue his combat dream. When asked about his motivation, McGregor stated he started training as a kid “to be able to defend myself in an unarmed combat situation.” He describes competing in the UFC as “a lifelong dream” and notes, “It truly shows me the power of visualization and the power of an unshakeable belief. It is just the beginning.”
Fight Card Results and Event Logistics
The entire UFC 329 card proceeded smoothly through the weigh-in process, with all 28 scheduled fighters hitting their marks. In addition to the main event, the card features several high-profile bouts, including a lightweight contest between Benoit Saint Denis and Paddy Pimblett, both of whom registered at 156 pounds, making use of the one-pound allowance for a non-title fight. Other fighters making weight included Cory Sandhagen (135.5), Mario Bautista (135.5), and Brandon Royval (125).
The event, with the main card airing on Paramount+ at 9 p.m. ET, features the following weight results:
- Conor McGregor (170.5) vs. Max Holloway (170)
- Benoit Saint Denis (156) vs. Paddy Pimblett (156)
- Cory Sandhagen (135.5) vs. Mario Bautista (135.5)
- Brandon Royval (125) vs. Lone’er
Career Trajectory and Statistical Context
McGregor’s record includes a 3.5-second knockout in professional Mixed Martial Arts. His recent history includes a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, a TKO loss to Poirier at UFC 257 in January 2021, and a TKO victory over Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in January 2020. His storied career also features a submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, a TKO win over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, and a knockout victory over Jose Aldo at UFC 194.
Reports note that Manchester United has moved to snap up land to take over a go-kart track to build a £2bn, 100,000-seat stadium. These developments, alongside global interest in the 2026 World Cup, continue to shape the wider sports landscape.
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