After years away from the Octagon, Conor McGregor is finally preparing for his long awaited UFC comeback, but his return could face serious competition from one of the biggest sporting spectacles on the planet.
The UFC officially confirmed during the weekend that McGregor will headline UFC 329 against Max Holloway. The announcement came during the inaugural MVP MMA event on Netflix when UFC president Dana White revealed the full fight card through a live Instagram broadcast during Francis Ngannou’s entrance.
The matchup instantly became one of the most talked about events in combat sports. McGregor remains one of the UFC’s biggest attractions, and his appearances traditionally generate enormous global attention. However, this July presents a unique challenge.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, begins on June 11 and runs through mid July. If the United States national team reaches the quarter final stage, one of their matches could overlap directly with UFC 329’s main card schedule.
According to the current timetable, the third and fourth World Cup quarter finals are set for July 11, with one taking place in Miami. The late kickoff is expected around 9 p.m. EST, almost identical to the timing of the UFC pay per view broadcast.
Despite concerns surrounding the scheduling conflict, excitement around McGregor’s comeback continues to build. The former two division champion has not fought in nearly five years, leading many fans and analysts to question how he will perform after such a lengthy absence.
Still, former rival Dustin Poirier recently warned critics against underestimating McGregor, believing the Irish superstar still possesses the ability to command worldwide attention whenever he steps into the cage.
