Conor McGregor has called for a 2027 rematch against Max Holloway, referencing UFC's International Fight Week in July 2027 in an Instagram post. The proposed bout would be the final fight of McGregor's current UFC contract. Holloway defeated McGregor by technical knockout in just 69 seconds at UFC 329 on 11 July in Las Vegas, after McGregor injured his right knee on an early kick. That fight marked McGregor's first appearance in the octagon since breaking his left leg in a 2021 bout against Dustin Poirier. McGregor, 38, is scheduled to undergo surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament, a recovery process UFC president Dana White estimates will take a year.
The two fighters have met once before, in August 2013, when McGregor won by unanimous decision. Holloway, 34, had previously lost to Charles Oliveira by unanimous decision at UFC 326 in March before his victory over McGregor. Despite posting a video of himself doing leg exercises, McGregor's return timeline remains uncertain. He has lost four of his last five fights, including each of his past three. At his peak, McGregor became the first UFC fighter to hold two titles simultaneously across different weight classes in 2016. He reportedly earned over $100 million from his 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. During his time away from fighting, McGregor faced multiple lawsuits and briefly aligned himself with hard-right figures during an unsuccessful bid for the Irish presidency.
McGregor's call for a 2027 rematch ignores that UFC leadership has not confirmed the bout, nor indicated any shift in his fight status beyond recovery. His return depends on medical recovery and promotional interest, both unguaranteed despite his past market appeal.
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