Conor McGregor hints at ‘Last Dance’ in UFC after career-altering injury; targets 2027 return
(Courtesy : UFC)
The former two-division champion has targeted International Fight Week 2027 for what he says could be his final UFC appearance.
Conor McGregor has already begun looking beyond the devastating injury that derailed his long-awaited comeback, revealing plans for what he calls his “last dance” inside the UFC Octagon.
The Irish superstar suffered a torn ACL during his rematch with Max Holloway at UFC 329, with the injury occurring after he threw the very first kick of the fight. The bout lasted just 69 seconds before being waved off, forcing McGregor to undergo surgery and begin another lengthy rehabilitation process.
While UFC CEO Dana White expects McGregor to be sidelined for at least a year, the former two-division champion appears to have already mapped out his return.
Conor McGregor targets International Fight Week 2027
Days after confirming his ACL surgery, McGregor shared a video on Instagram showing himself warming up before UFC 329 and outlined his vision for one final UFC appearance.
“What was to be a generational beating is now to be reset. IFW 2027. The Last Dance.”
The reference to IFW points to International Fight Week, the annual UFC showcase event that traditionally features one of the promotion’s biggest cards of the year.
Ironically, McGregor had originally returned during this year’s International Fight Week card for his highly anticipated rematch with Holloway before suffering the career-altering injury just moments into the contest.
The phrase “The Last Dance” also suggests McGregor intends to complete the final fight remaining on his current UFC contract before bringing his tenure with the promotion to an end.
One final UFC fight before exploring free agency
McGregor has repeatedly stated that he plans to honor his contractual obligations with the UFC before considering opportunities elsewhere.
Once that final bout is complete, the Irish star could become one of the biggest free agents in combat sports history.
Several options have already been discussed by McGregor in recent months, including a return to professional boxing and a possible appearance under the BKFC banner. McGregor is a part-owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and has frequently spoken about his interest in competing in the promotion at some stage.
Despite teasing his farewell fight, McGregor has remained focused on unfinished business inside the UFC.
He has repeatedly called for his UFC 329 bout against Max Holloway to be rebooked after the contest ended prematurely because of his injury. However, UFC officials have not committed to revisiting that matchup, largely due to the uncertainty surrounding McGregor’s recovery timeline.
Agreeing to another Holloway fight would also leave the former featherweight champion waiting on the sidelines for an extended period while McGregor completes his rehabilitation.
For now, McGregor’s immediate priority remains recovering from ACL surgery. If his recovery goes according to plan, International Fight Week 2027 appears to be the target for one final appearance in the Octagon. Whether that farewell comes against Holloway or another opponent remains unknown, but McGregor has made it clear that he believes his UFC story is not over just yet.
What did Conor McGregor mean by “The Last Dance”?
McGregor indicated that he plans to return for one final UFC fight before completing his current contract with the promotion
When does Conor McGregor want to return to the UFC?
McGregor has targeted International Fight Week 2027, sharing “IFW 2027. The Last Dance” on social media after his injury.
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