Conor McGregor Returns at UFC 329: His 5 Greatest Moments in UFC History

Love him or hate him, Conor McGregor changed mixed martial arts forever.

After a five-year absence from the Octagon, “The Notorious” finally makes his long-awaited return this weekend when he headlines UFC 329 against Max Holloway in Las Vegas. It will be McGregor’s first fight since suffering a devastating leg break against Dustin Poirier in 2021, ending one of the longest comeback stories in UFC history.

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During his remarkable UFC career, McGregor produced countless unforgettable moments, from becoming the promotion’s first simultaneous two-division champion to delivering one of the greatest knockouts in MMA history. Ahead of his blockbuster rematch with Holloway, we count down the five defining moments that cemented his legacy as one of the biggest stars the sport has ever seen.

5. Defeating Max Holloway Before Either Became a Superstar

Long before they headline one of the biggest cards of 2026, McGregor and Holloway first shared the Octagon in Boston back in 2013.

Despite tearing his ACL during the contest, McGregor controlled the fight from start to finish, earning a unanimous decision victory over the then 21 year old Holloway. At the time, few could have imagined that both men would go on to become UFC champions and two of the greatest featherweights in the promotion’s history.

Thirteen years later, their rematch carries even greater significance, with pride, legacy and another statement victory on the line.

4. Knocking Out Chad Mendes to Win Interim Gold

When long reigning featherweight champion José Aldo was forced to withdraw from UFC 189 through injury, Chad Mendes stepped in on short notice to fight McGregor for the interim featherweight championship.

It proved to be one of the toughest tests of McGregor’s early UFC career. Mendes repeatedly took the Irishman to the canvas, but McGregor weathered the storm before overwhelming the American late in the second round to secure a TKO victory.

The win earned McGregor his first UFC title and set up the eagerly anticipated showdown with Aldo that would become one of the sport’s most iconic fights.

3. The Nate Diaz Rivalry

Every superstar needs adversity, and McGregor found his in Nate Diaz.

Stepping up to welterweight on short notice, McGregor suffered the first UFC loss of his career when Diaz submitted him at UFC 196 in one of the biggest upsets in mixed martial arts history.

Rather than shy away from the challenge, McGregor demanded an immediate rematch. Five months later, the pair produced another instant classic at UFC 202, with McGregor earning a majority decision victory in a five-round war that shattered pay-per-view records and remains one of the greatest rivalries the UFC has ever seen.

2. Becoming the UFC’s First Simultaneous Two-Division Champion

If there were any doubts about McGregor’s greatness, UFC 205 erased them.

Facing lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez at Madison Square Garden, McGregor delivered arguably the finest performance of his career. He repeatedly dropped Alvarez before finishing him in the second round to become the first fighter in UFC history to simultaneously hold championships in two different weight classes.

The victory cemented McGregor’s place among the sport’s all-time greats and transformed him from UFC champion into a global sporting icon.

1. The 13 Second Knockout of José Aldo

Nothing will ever top UFC 194.

For months, McGregor and José Aldo traded verbal blows ahead of one of the most anticipated title fights in MMA history. Many expected a tactical battle between two of the world’s best featherweights.

Instead, McGregor stunned the world.

Just 13 seconds after the opening bell, he landed a perfectly timed left hand that knocked Aldo unconscious, becoming the undisputed UFC featherweight champion in the fastest title fight finish in UFC history.

It was the moment that defined an era. McGregor had predicted exactly how the fight would end, and then delivered on the biggest stage. More than a decade later, the knockout remains one of the most iconic finishes the sport has ever witnessed.

One More Chapter Awaits

Now, McGregor returns to the Octagon with another opportunity to create history.

Questions remain over whether the former champion can still compete with the elite after five years away, while Holloway has developed into one of the most accomplished fighters in UFC history since their first meeting.

Regardless of the outcome, UFC 329 marks the return of one of combat sports’ biggest attractions. And if McGregor can roll back the years one more time, his legendary career may yet have another unforgettable chapter to write.