Conor McGregor became visibly emotional as he addressed the media ahead of his anticipated UFC return, discussing his struggles with alcohol, the impact of fame, and sexual assault allegations that surfaced during his time away from the sport. McGregor is scheduled to face Max Holloway in a welterweight bout at UFC 329, marking his first fight since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
During a press conference in Las Vegas, the conversation shifted from his upcoming fight to his personal challenges. In November 2024, a Dublin jury found McGregor liable for sexual assault in a civil suit brought by Nikita Hand, resulting in a $260,000 damages award. McGregor has maintained his innocence regarding the verdict.
"I am an innocent man and I will stand for my innocence until the day I go out," McGregor stated. "I know the truth. And I know that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord." He expressed confidence that the truth would eventually come to light.
Reflecting on his hiatus, McGregor described the past few years as difficult. "It's been a tough one but God works in mysterious ways. Maybe it wasn't meant to be at that time," he said, fighting back tears.
He detailed how the significant wealth acquired after his 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather and the launch of his Irish whiskey brand, 'Proper 12,' contributed to a period of instability. "Obviously," he responded when asked if he succumbed to the pitfalls common among wealthy athletes. "Next thing you know, there's thousands and thousands of bottles in my garage. 'Sell this, Conor'. Ok, I'd leave my property with two bottles under my arm. And that was it, I was caught."
McGregor concluded by emphasizing his reliance on his faith to navigate his return to the public eye. "God gave me these lessons. I was trapped and caught," he stated. "I trust in God. I trust in my journey. And I trust in the truth."
His return to the octagon has been delayed by several setbacks since his 2021 injury. A planned fight against Michael Chandler in the summer of 2024 was canceled due to a broken toe. His comeback was further postponed in October 2025 when he received an 18-month suspension for three missed drug test whereabouts. That ban, backdated to September 2024, expired earlier this year, clearing the way for the fight against Holloway.