Conor McGregor is set to make his highly anticipated return to the UFC at UFC 329 on July 11, 2026, facing Max Holloway. This marks McGregor’s first fight in over five years since his injury at UFC 264, where he broke his left tibia and fibula. The event is generating significant buzz, with UFC president Dana White predicting the fight will produce the largest gate in UFC history, surpassing the previous record set by UFC 306 with an expected $25 million in ticket sales.

Ticket prices on the secondary market are remarkably high, with the lowest available tickets costing $902 and the average ticket price reaching $1,537, reflecting the massive demand fueled by McGregor’s star power. Despite UFC Freedom 250 having attracted 17 million viewers across the U.S. and Latin America, McGregor’s return is expected to challenge those viewership numbers, given his history of headlining eight of the top ten highest-selling UFC pay-per-view events, including his 1.5 million buys at UFC 264.

Interestingly, CBS will not simulcast UFC 329 despite their recent $7.7 billion partnership with UFC, choosing instead to air other programming during the fight. However, CBS will host a one-hour special on Friday night featuring live weigh-ins and an interview with McGregor. Paramount+ remains the exclusive platform for streaming the event live, and early engagement numbers, including a press conference live stream peak of 233,000 viewers, suggest strong audience interest.

On the financial side, both McGregor and Holloway are set for historic paydays. McGregor has negotiated a contract extension that reportedly makes him the highest-paid fighter in UFC history, with payouts well above any other UFC athlete. Holloway also anticipates his largest payday ever. McGregor’s return promises not only a major sporting moment but also a significant commercial milestone for the UFC.