McGregor announces intention to hold final UFC fight in 2027
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion in two weight categories Conor McGregor announced his intention to hold a third fight against Max Holloway, which, according to him, could be the final fight in his professional career under the current contract with the organization.
The Irish fighter shared his plans on the social network Instagram, posting a message timed to the International UFC Fight Week, which will take place in July 2027. In the post, McGregor made it clear that he expects to take revenge for the recent defeat and called the possible fight his “last dance.”
If the fight does take place, it will be the third matchup between the athletes. The last meeting between McGregor and Holloway took place on July 11 at UFC 329 in Las Vegas.
The fight ended already at the 69th second of the first round with a technical knockout in favor of Holloway after McGregor suffered a severe injury to his right knee during one of his kicks.
The first fight between the rivals took place back in August 2013. Then McGregor, who at that time was just beginning his path to championship titles in the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion, won by unanimous decision of the judges.
As reported, after the July defeat, the 38-year-old Irishman faces surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. It is the long rehabilitation period, it is assumed, that became the reason why the potential rematch is being considered only in 2027.
Despite the fact that McGregor recently published a video of his training sessions, demonstrating exercises to restore his leg, UFC president Dana White stated that the athlete’s return to the octagon is not expected in the near future. According to him, McGregor will not be able to compete for at least a year.
The July fight with Holloway was the Irish fighter’s first in the last five years. Before that, he had not entered the octagon after a technical knockout loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, held in Las Vegas. Currently, McGregor’s result streak remains unsuccessful, as he has lost his last three fights and suffered four defeats in his last five bouts, which makes a possible rematch with Holloway one of the most anticipated events for his fans.
Source: Aljazeera
