Conor McGregor reveals how he transformed a serious injury into motivation for his return at UFC 329.

Conor McGregor Training. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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Conor McGregor He is confident that he will return to the octagon at a high level in... UFC 329After five years away from the octagon and recovering from a serious leg fracture, the Irishman assured that he transformed the recovery period into fuel to return even more dangerous. The former featherweight (up to 65,7 kg) and lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) champion faces Max Holloway in the main fight of the event this Saturday (11), in Las Vegas (USA).

In the Embedded series, released by the official UFC YouTube channel, McGregor commented on the recovery process from the injury he suffered in 2021, precisely in his last MMA fight. According to the star, mental work was as important as physical rehabilitation to return to competing at the elite level of the sport.

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“It takes a lot of inner work to recover from an injury like this. I simply use it as motivation. Great, I wish it were like this, because now I can show it on Saturday night. It’s going to be venomous inside this octagon,” said the two-time champion.

The fight against Holloway will mark McGregor's first fight since his loss to Dustin poirier, in July 2021, when he suffered the serious leg injury. Now, facing a old rivalAlso a former UFC champion, McGregor is trying to show that he can still compete among the best in the organization and start a new phase in his career after a long period of inactivity.

Arrival of Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor says he used his injury as motivation for his comeback. 🦵

"It takes a lot of deep internal work to return from an injury like that. I just use that as motivation…

Lovely, I wish for it to be that way cause now I can show and on Saturday night.

It will be… pic.twitter.com/XBhZlQJP1y

— MMA Pros Pick (@MMA_PROS_PICK_) July 8, 2026

Period of inactivity increases pressure on McGregor

McGregor promotes UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube/UFC

At 37 years old, McGregor tries to end a fast which has lasted more than six years. His last victory took place in January 2020, when he defeated Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds. Since then, the Irishman has suffered two consecutive defeats to Dustin poirier and did not return to competition after suffering a serious leg fracture during a fight held in July 2021.

The long period away from sports transformed the duel against Holloway is at one of the most important moments in his recent career. A victory could put the former champion back among the organization's top topics, while another defeat would increase doubts about his ability to compete at a high level.

First fight between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway

The fight took place at UFC Fight Night 26 in Boston in August 2013, early in both fighters' UFC careers. Conor had the advantage, winning by unanimous decision. The fight occurred years before the Irishman won the featherweight title in 2015 and became the first to win two weight classes in the UFC, in 2016 against Eddie Alvarez in the lightweight division.

Max Holloway, was BMF champion, won against Justin gaethje No. UFC 300, with a historic knockout in the last 10 seconds and defended against Dustin poirierbefore losing to Charles of the Bronx at UFC 326 in March. Before moving up a weight class, the Hawaiian won the featherweight title and defended it four times.