Conor McGregor made a dramatic return to the public eye, ripping off Max Holloway’s glasses during an intense face-off ahead of their rematch at UFC 329 in Las Vegas this Saturday. McGregor, 37, is scheduled to step back into the octagon for the first time since breaking his leg in a 2021 defeat by Dustin Poirier.
The pre-fight news conference at the T-Mobile Arena saw McGregor welcomed back by fans with loud cheers, while his American opponent, Holloway, who previously lost to the Irishman in 2013, was met with boos.
High Drama Before the Main Event
Following the heated face-off, where McGregor threw Holloway’s glasses before security intervened to separate the pair, the former two-division champion hoisted two commemorative UFC titles. These belts, draped in Irish colours, symbolised McGregor’s historic achievement as the first simultaneous two-weight world champion in UFC history, after his featherweight triumph in 2015 and his lightweight victory in 2016.
McGregor addressed the fans, stating, "I’m excited to showcase what human grit, desire and dedication can do." He added, "Despite the odds, we can overcome them, never be a victim of your circumstances, overcome them. I’m going to show the world you too can do the same." His signature charisma was also on show as he sang Oasis’ hit ‘Wonderwall’ to fans.
A Return Plagued by Controversy
McGregor’s return comes after a series of controversies since his last fight. In November 2024, Nikita Hand, who accused McGregor of raping her, won her claim against him for damages for ‘assault by rape’ in a civil case. A jury found that McGregor assaulted Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, and he was ordered to pay £206,000 plus damages.
McGregor lost his civil jury appeal in July 2025. The following month, Hand announced her intention to sue him and two other people for damages, alleging they engaged in malicious abuse of court processes.
Last year, McGregor also accepted an 18-month ban for violating the UFC’s anti-doping policy after missing three drugs tests within a 12-month period in 2024. The ban, which was backdated to the third missed test in September 2024, concluded in March.
UFC Chiefs Eye Record Gate
Critics have questioned whether McGregor, despite his history, deserves the spotlight. Some commentators argue that support for McGregor within Ireland has dwindled, noting that while fans in Irish colours were present at the news conference, they were fewer in number and less vocal than at previous events he has conducted.
However, UFC chiefs appear to believe McGregor will still draw eyes to the sport and make the promotion money without affecting the brand. UFC president Dana White, when asked about the size of the fight between McGregor and Holloway, stated it would draw "the biggest gate in UFC history."
McGregor rose to fame with his brash and witty personality, captivating fans like no MMA fighter before him. The highly anticipated UFC 329 main event, featuring McGregor v Holloway 2, is set to go ahead this Saturday.