Last year, Conor McGregor accepted an 18-month ban for violating the UFC's anti-doping policy after missing three drug tests within 12 months in 2024.

The ban, which was backdated to the third missed test in September 2024, concluded in March.

McGregor has been tested 14 times, external by Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) this year - more than any other fighter on the UFC's roster.

In 2019, he was convicted and fined €1,000 (£850) for punching a man who rejected his offer of a drink in a Dublin pub.

Some commentators argue that support for McGregor within Ireland, where he had been thought of as a trailblazer during his rise to fame, has dwindled.

Last March, Irish political leaders said McGregor "does not speak for Ireland" after he criticised the country's immigration policy, while in September he ended his bid to run for president.

"I'm not here to win anyone back, I'm here to represent my country. What is taking place in Ireland is the saddest story in the West," McGregor said in a news conference this week.

Conor McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg in defeat by Dustin Poirier in 2021, but he has featured in the headlines since.

In November 2024, Nikita Hand, who accused McGregor of raping her, won her claim against him for damages for assault by rape in a civil case.

A jury found that McGregor sexually assaulted Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018 and he was ordered to pay her £206,000 plus damages.

McGregor lost his civil jury appeal in July 2025 and Hand announced the following month her intention to sue him and two other people for damages, alleging they engaged in malicious abuse of court processes.

Despite losing his appeal, McGregor continues to accuse Hand and her lawyers of lying, while Hand said she was "retraumatised over and over again" by the trial.

When asked this week if he understood why people were uncomfortable with him in the spotlight following the outcome of the civil case, McGregor said: "I'm an innocent man and I'll stand for my innocence until the day I go out.

"There is a reason it didn't go where it went and it went to a civil trial. It is what it is. It stings deep. I continue to fight. I know the truth and I know that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord and I know that anything in the darkness will soon come to light."

Conor McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg in the defeat to Dustin Poirier in 2021, but he has featured in the headlines since.

Below, we've provided a timeline of McGregor's career.

Here's what's happened in Vegas already or about to happen:

Main card:

• Conor McGregor v Max Holloway - welterweight
• Benoit Saint-Denis v Paddy Pimblett - lightweight
• Cory Sandhagen v Mario Bautista - bantamweight
• Brandon Royval v Lone'er Kavanagh - flyweight
• Bobby Green def. Terrance McKinney by TKO - lightweight

Preliminary card:

• Robert Whittaker def. Nikita Krylov by TKO - light-heavyweight
• Gable Stevenson def. Elisha Ellison by KO - heavyweight
• Adrian Yanez def. Cody Garbrandt by TKO - bantamweight
• Luke Riley def. Kai Kamaka by KO - featherweight

Britain's Lone'er Kavanagh is in the octagon right now but I'll take you through the undercard and running order for UFC 329.

Stand by...

Good morning to you all.

We've got two fights that we'll be doing full live text commentary on in these early hours.

First up, it's Liverpool's Paddy Pimblett looking to get back to winning ways as he takes on France's Benoit Saint-Denis.

And then, Conor McGregor makes his UFC return after five years out of the cage. He takes on Max Holloway in the main event in Las Vegas.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Yes, it's 3am and England may have just reached the semi-finals of the World Cup but the fun isn't over yet.

We've got action from UFC 329 to bring right to you.

Image source, Getty Images