McGregor returns to the UFC circuit after a 5-year absence

The world of mixed martial arts is bracing for the return of one of its most prominent stars, with UFC officially announcing the return of Irish fighter Connor McGregor to the ring for the first time in five years. McGregor, 37, will fight US fighter Max Holloway on July 11 in Las Vegas, as part of UFC 329. It is reported that this fight will be a replay of their previous confrontation It took place in August 2013 in Boston, which ended with McGregor's victory despite suffering a torn cruciate ligament. The announcement comes after a long absence of the Irish fighter from the arena, where he has not fought since his painful defeat to the American Dustin Bouayet in July 2021, during which he suffered a serious fracture in his leg. He had also withdrawn from a planned fight in June 2024 due to a toe injury. McGregor faced serious legal challenges outside of During his absence, he was convicted in 2024 and ordered to pay about $250,000 in damages to a woman who accused him of rape in Ireland. Another woman last December dropped her civil lawsuit against him for sexual assault, after authorities refused to file criminal charges. Despite these challenges, McGregor remains one of the most famous UFC fighters and the most attractive to the masses and revenues, being the former champion in two different categories and one of the most prominent names in the History of Sports.