**Conor McGregor Calls for Third UFC Fight Against Max Holloway in 2027**
Conor McGregor, the former UFC champion, has announced his intention to seek a rematch against Max Holloway, following their recent bout at UFC 329. The call for a third fight comes as part of McGregor's long-term plan, which he shared with fans through an Instagram post on July 28, 2026.
In his post, McGregor referred to the upcoming UFC International Fight Week in July 2027, stating, "What was to be a generational beating is now to be reset. IFW 2027. The Last Dance." This statement suggests that McGregor is eager to reclaim his standing in the octagon after suffering a loss to Holloway.
The fight at UFC 329 took place on July 11, 2026, in Las Vegas, where Holloway secured a victory by technical knockout just 69 seconds into the first round. McGregor sustained an injury to his right knee early in the bout, which significantly impacted his performance. This loss marked a difficult chapter for McGregor, who has faced challenges in his recent fights.
This upcoming potential rematch would be the third encounter between the two fighters. Their first meeting occurred in August 2013, where McGregor won by unanimous decision. Since then, both fighters have had notable careers, with Holloway currently holding a record of 28 wins and 9 losses, while McGregor's record stands at 22 wins and 7 losses.
The 38-year-old McGregor is currently recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which he is set to have surgically repaired. This injury is likely a contributing factor to the extended timeline for the proposed rematch. Despite McGregor's recent social media activity showcasing his leg rehabilitation exercises, UFC president Dana White has indicated that McGregor will be sidelined for approximately a year.
The fight against Holloway was McGregor's first return to the octagon in five years, following a technical knockout loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. McGregor has faced a challenging period in his career, having lost three consecutive bouts and four of his last five fights.
Max Holloway, 34, also faced setbacks earlier in the year, losing a unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 in March 2026. However, his victory over McGregor has reinvigorated his standing within the UFC.
As both fighters navigate their respective paths, the prospect of a third matchup continues to generate interest among fans and analysts alike. Whether McGregor can recover in time for the proposed fight in 2027 remains to be seen, but his determination to reset the narrative against Holloway is clear.