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After nearly five years away from the sport, Conor McGregor is set to return to the Octagon in a highly anticipated matchup against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas.
McGregor’s last fight came in July 2021 against Dustin Poirier, a bout that ended with him suffering fractures to both his fibula and tibia.
Now officially back under contract, McGregor appears to be fully immersed in training camp as he prepares for his long-awaited return. While he enters the fight as a sizable underdog, he still has plenty of supporters backing him to pull off the upset.
One of those believers is undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who previously defeated Holloway and believes McGregor has a legitimate chance not only to beat Holloway, but potentially set up a future showdown between the two stars.
“I think Conor is going to win,” Topuria said. “If he wins and he has one more fight, we could end up having that fight [me vs Conor].”
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Topuria, however, does not currently believe McGregor is ready or deserving of a fight against him until he proves himself again inside the Octagon with a few meaningful wins and performances.
“For him to say, after Max, that he wants to fight me? Impossible,” Topuria said. “He’s still very far away from me. I think he’ll want to get some rounds in first, build himself back up a bit, because he knows that in a fight against me, he’s going to take a lot of damage. I’m going to hurt him.”
UFC fighter Ilia Topuria during press conference after WOW 17 at Madrid Arena on March 29, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images)
Topuria admitted that if the UFC offered him a fight against McGregor right now, he would turn it down.
“If they offered me the Conor of right now, I would absolutely say no, because what does Conor really bring me right now, you know?” Topuria said. “Yes, there are some people around the world who want to see that fight, but I think there are many other fights that are much more interesting than a fight with Conor. But if he gets a good win against Max Holloway, and then gets another win after that, it could happen.”
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McGregor’s last fight came in July 2021 against Dustin Poirier, a bout that ended with him suffering fractures to both his fibula and tibia.
Now officially back under contract, McGregor appears to be fully immersed in training camp as he prepares for his long-awaited return. While he enters the fight as a sizable underdog, he still has plenty of supporters backing him to pull off the upset.
One of those believers is undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who previously defeated Holloway and believes McGregor has a legitimate chance not only to beat Holloway, but potentially set up a future showdown between the two stars.
“I think Conor is going to win,” Topuria said. “If he wins and he has one more fight, we could end up having that fight [me vs Conor].”
More news: Exclusive: Campbell McLaren Found a Unique Way to Corner Hispanic MMA With Combate Global
More news: Exclusive: Fabian Edwards Says Better Opposition Separates Him From Costello Van Steenis
Topuria, however, does not currently believe McGregor is ready or deserving of a fight against him until he proves himself again inside the Octagon with a few meaningful wins and performances.
“For him to say, after Max, that he wants to fight me? Impossible,” Topuria said. “He’s still very far away from me. I think he’ll want to get some rounds in first, build himself back up a bit, because he knows that in a fight against me, he’s going to take a lot of damage. I’m going to hurt him.”
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UFC fighter Ilia Topuria during press conference after WOW 17 at Madrid Arena on March 29, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images)
Topuria admitted that if the UFC offered him a fight against McGregor right now, he would turn it down.
“If they offered me the Conor of right now, I would absolutely say no, because what does Conor really bring me right now, you know?” Topuria said. “Yes, there are some people around the world who want to see that fight, but I think there are many other fights that are much more interesting than a fight with Conor. But if he gets a good win against Max Holloway, and then gets another win after that, it could happen.”
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