With less than two weeks remaining until UFC 329, Conor McGregor is finally set to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon. For more than five years, fans have questioned whether the former two-division champion would ever fight again after suffering a gruesome leg fracture against Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 264.
His absence from the historic UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House only fueled speculation about whether his comeback would ever materialize. Those doubts were finally put to rest during International Fight Week on July 11, when Dana White confirmed that McGregor will headline UFC 329 against Max Holloway in a rematch 13 years in the making.
The fight will be contested at 170 pounds, marking Holloway’s welterweight debut while also raising questions about whether McGregor can recapture his best form after such a lengthy layoff. Although he has not competed since 2021, McGregor was originally scheduled to return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in 2024 before a broken toe forced him to withdraw.
After that setback, there was little indication that the Irishman was actively preparing for another comeback. Now, with fight week approaching, the UFC has given fans a closer look at McGregor’s road back. On Sunday, the promotion released its UFC 329 Countdown special, featuring an extended preview of the highly anticipated rematch with Holloway.
The episode also included previously unseen footage of the exact moment McGregor suffered the broken pinky toe that derailed his planned return against Chandler. The footage shows McGregor training at SBG Ireland, sparring with teammates as he prepared for UFC 303. During one exchange, he throws a kick that appears to collide with a teammate’s body, immediately grabbing his foot after recognizing the injury.
Coach John Kavanagh can then be heard asking whether it was all good before ending the session. The Irishman later said in the segment, “There was lapses in concentration in the training. I am the leader of the training, so if I’m lapsing in concentration, it filters down, and that is what took place: a training partner had no protection, and next thing you know? Bang. Broke my fucking toe.”
Reflecting further on the setback, McGregor said, “The injury happened. It was very, very difficult. It was my only time I ever pulled out of a fight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and it was a very tough one.”
The UFC just dropped footage of Conor McGregor injuring his toe before pulling out of the Michael Chandler fight back in 2024
“The injury happened. It was very, very difficult. It was my only time I ever pulled out of a fight for the UFC. It was a very tough one.” pic.twitter.com/LiLZUDQb0N
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 5, 2026
The injury forced the UFC to overhaul its schedule, extending McGregor’s absence by another two years. It also diminished the momentum generated by Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter, which McGregor and Michael Chandler coached in anticipation of their showdown. Chandler ultimately spent nearly two years waiting for the lucrative matchup that never came to fruition.
This time around, however, McGregor has taken a far more cautious approach. Determined to avoid another last-minute setback, he has emphasized injury prevention throughout camp, consistently wearing protective gear during training while ensuring his coaches and sparring partners are fully aware of each session’s intensity and objectives.
Leave a Comment
Share your thoughts and join the discussion