Conor McGregor has named Max Holloway as his preferred opponent for his UFC comeback, insisting he wants to settle their rivalry after their previous encounter ended in injury.
The Irish fighter said a rematch with Holloway remained his top priority following a brief 69-second showdown in July, which could also prove to be his final fight under his current UFC contract.
Speaking at a press conference after BKFC Glasgow last weekend, McGregor made his intentions clear.
“It has to be Holloway. Just do the fight again,” he said.
Holloway was awarded a first-round TKO victory at UFC 329 on July 11 after McGregor suffered a right knee ACL injury while attempting a jumping kick in the opening moments of the bout.
McGregor subsequently underwent surgery and has not competed since.
The result levelled their head-to-head record, following McGregor’s unanimous decision victory over Holloway in their first meeting in August 2013. McGregor had suffered a left knee injury during that fight but still managed to secure the win.
The 38-year-old said his recovery was progressing well and he believed he could return to competition before next summer.
He had previously floated UFC International Fight Week in 2027 as a possible comeback target.
“I’m on my way back. It’s November now, isn’t it? It’s been three months since surgery. I’ve had this injury before and I came back in nine months. So nine months means before summer,” McGregor said.
Holloway has also indicated that he is open to a third meeting, although McGregor acknowledged that he might have to consider other opponents if the American is unavailable.
However, McGregor said any alternative would have to be a former world champion or a fighter with comparable achievements.
The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion returned to action after a five-year absence when he faced Holloway in July.
His previous appearance before that also ended in a serious injury, after he broke his left tibia and fibula during his fight against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
