Conor McGregor will return to the octagon this weekend to face Max Holloway at UFC 329. The two former featherweight champions will face off in a welterweight bout almost exactly five years since McGregor last stepped in the cage.
What happened?
Conor McGregor has been accused of taking banned anabolic steroids and human growth hormone while recovering from a broken leg. He reportedly continued to take both substances after his leg had healed.
McGregor was not in the United States Anti-Doping Agency testing pool at the time. He disclosed the use of the substances when he re-entered the testing pool in 2023.
Why it matters for Conor McGregor
The accusations against McGregor could have legal ramifications. According to the New York Times, it is illegal to treat a broken leg with HGH, and doing so could result in felony charges for the doctor who prescribed it.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache, a prominent surgeon, oversaw the surgery on McGregor's broken leg. ElAttrache did not prescribe the HGH or steroids but reportedly endorsed McGregor's application for a therapeutic-use exemption that was never granted.
What comes next?
McGregor's return to the octagon is highly anticipated, with the UFC having held an event on the White House lawn and signed a $7.7 billion deal with Paramount+ since his last fight. McGregor hasn't fought in five years, but he has still headlined eight of the top 10 pay-per-view cards in UFC history.
McGregor turns 38 next week, and his future in the UFC is uncertain. He seems just as likely to return to the celebrity boxing circuit as he does to make a run at any of the championship belts in the UFC.
The UFC has stated that McGregor followed all the rules and never failed a drug test with the organization. McGregor's reason for remaining on HGH and anabolic steroids after his leg had healed was that he liked how they made him feel and the energy they gave him.
The accusations against McGregor will likely be a major topic of discussion ahead of his fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329. McGregor's fans will be eager to see him back in the octagon, but the controversy surrounding his use of banned substances will undoubtedly cast a shadow over his return.
Conor McGregor's fight against Max Holloway is scheduled to take place on July 12, 2026, at UFC 329. The event will be held at a location to be announced, and fans will be able to watch it live on pay-per-view.
The outcome of the fight is uncertain, but one thing is clear: Conor McGregor's return to the octagon will be a major event in the world of UFC. With his charisma and fighting skills, McGregor is always a force to be reckoned with, and his fans will be eager to see him back in action.
As the fight approaches, fans will be watching closely to see how McGregor performs. Will he be able to overcome the controversy surrounding his use of banned substances and emerge victorious, or will Max Holloway prove to be too much for him? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Conor McGregor's return to the octagon will be an event to remember.