Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Conor McGregor UFC 329 fight week has taken a familiar sharp turn in Las Vegas, with the returning Irish star trading verbal shots before Sunday’s rematch against Max Holloway at T-Mobile Arena.
McGregor has not fought in combat sport since July 2021, when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier, making his comeback one of the biggest talking points in the Ultimate Fighting Championship this year.
The build-up has already drawn major attention across fight circles, with Paddy Pimblett’s Conor McGregor meeting adding another storyline to a heated UFC 329 week.
McGregor Takes Aim At Gaethje
Justin Gaethje, fresh from his win over Ilia Topuria on the White House South Lawn, said he would be ringside for McGregor’s return and would welcome a future fight.
“I would love to punch Conor McGregor in the face.”
McGregor responded at media day with a reminder of Gaethje’s knockout loss to Holloway at UFC 300.
“Join the queue … there’s a few”.
“And look,” the Irishman then continued, “he has the lightweight belt, fair play to him. [But] Holloway put him face down, ass up though. Badly. Badly face down.
“So I’m not even thinking of it at this time. Would I go down to lightweight again? Also that’s another thing I’m not so sure. I fancy the triple crown. Less with the disrespect, you f***ing bum.”
McGregor Addresses Critics And Court Case
McGregor also spoke about being found liable in 2024 for a sexual assault against Nikita Hand, saying he maintains his innocence.
“I’m an innocent man,” McGregor said. “And I’ll stand for my innocence until the day I go out.
“That is still a situation where I fight.”
The former featherweight and lightweight champion also discussed alcohol and his Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey launch after the Floyd Mayweather boxing bout.
“You know in 2017, (I’m) a double-weight world champion, Floyd Mayweather-banked,” McGregor said.
Official bout coverage and event details are available through the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
“Nothing better than proving people wrong,” McGregor said at media day of the critics.
“We’re going to go in and shut them all up again. The business is on the rise. The money is coming in. Get into this game, we’re rocking and rolling. ‘The Mac’ is back.”