Will Conor McGregor fight Ilia Topuria after Max Holloway?
Conor McGregor is unlikely to fight Ilia Topuria immediately after Max Holloway. Topuria has said McGregor must beat Holloway at UFC 329 and win one more bout before a showdown becomes realistic, even as McGregor mocked Topuria's recent loss to Justin Gaethje during fight week. The Las Vegas result will shape any future clash.
Key Takeaways
- Ilia Topuria believes McGregor needs wins over Holloway and one more opponent before their fight is realistic.
- McGregor criticized Topuria's UFC Freedom 250 loss to Gaethje while speaking with Smash Cast Media during UFC 329 week.
- Topuria has softened his stance, acknowledging McGregor remains good for the sport and draws fan interest.
- McGregor dismissed a near-term Shavkat Rakhmonov fight, saying the welterweight would need to win the title first.
- UFC 329 streams tonight in Las Vegas, with McGregor vs Holloway expected after 11:30 p.m. ET.
Conor McGregor returns to the Octagon tonight for the first time in five years, facing Max Holloway in the UFC 329 main event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. With Streaming & TV Alerts tracking every major fight card, all eyes are on whether the Irish star can restart his career—and who might come next if he wins.
What did McGregor say about Ilia Topuria?
During a busy UFC 329 fight week, McGregor brought up Ilia Topuria while speaking with Smash Cast Media. The two-division champion had recently lost to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, and McGregor did not hold back.
McGregor said Topuria had been badly beaten, calling mixed martial arts a brutal business. He added that he deliberately avoids mentioning Topuria by name, while claiming the Spaniard frequently talks about him and references his career. McGregor said he finds that amusing and sees it as evidence of the influence he still holds over other fighters.
What does Ilia Topuria require before a McGregor fight?
Topuria has recently softened his stance toward McGregor. After previously dismissing him as an inactive fighter, he has acknowledged that the Irishman remains good for the sport and that many fans still want to see him compete.
Topuria has also suggested that McGregor is likely saving a fight between them as the final major bout of his career. However, he believes McGregor must first get past Holloway and then win another fight before such a matchup can become a realistic possibility. A potential clash therefore hinges on what happens in Las Vegas tonight.
Who else is on McGregor's radar after Holloway?
With two fights remaining on his UFC contract, McGregor has already fielded questions about opponents beyond Holloway. Names such as Michael Chandler, Paddy Pimblett and Alexander Volkanovski have circulated in fight-week coverage, according to the Irish Star.
At UFC 329 media day, McGregor was also asked about Shavkat Rakhmonov, who beat fellow Irishman Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 in December 2024. McGregor said Rakhmonov has a heavy injury and is building back, adding that he would have to acquire the welterweight title for McGregor to even consider the fight.
Rakhmonov has not competed since that Garry win and was removed from the UFC rankings after reinjuring his knee, with reports suggesting he may not return until late 2026 at the earliest.
When does UFC 329 start?
The UFC card in Las Vegas begins with early preliminary fights at 5 p.m. ET. McGregor and Holloway are not expected to make their walk to the Octagon before 11:30 p.m. ET, per Diario AS.
McGregor last fought in 2021, when he lost to Dustin Poirier, and a planned 2024 return against Michael Chandler was scrapped after a toe injury in sparring. Tonight's result could determine whether the Ilia Topuria conversation moves from social media barbs to a genuine UFC booking—or fades back into speculation.