The former two-division champion had fans worrying after he was absent from the UFC's first two Embedded shows ahead of his clash with Max Holloway15:39, 09 Jul 2026Updated 00:56, 12 Jul 2026Conor McGregor's long-time coach, John Kavanagh, has explained exactly why the team arrived in Las Vegas slightly later than anticipated.‌The Irishman will end a five-year hiatus on Saturday night when he takes on Max Holloway in a welterweight showdown at UFC 329 at the T-Mobile Arena. McGregor - who turns 38 three days after his clash with Holloway - has not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021.‌His last win inside the cage came six years ago - a 40 second demolition of Donald Cerrone. After McGregor delayed his return after pulling out of his clash with Michael Chandler, many assumed we'd seen the last of the former two-division champion. His comeback was announced earlier this year, and the 'Notorious' has since vowed to stay active.‌However, there were some slight worries ahead of fight night after McGregor was absent from the first two UFC Embedded episodes. Fans were quick to theorise that he'd pulled out of his meeting with the ex-145lb champion. Many fighters tends to arrive in the city where they are fighting, to allow themselves to adjust and prepare mentally. McGregor was not seen in Sin City until Tuesday.FOLLOW OUR FIGHTING FB PAGE! Latest boxing and MMA news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook pageBut his trainer, Kavanagh, has provided some clarity and takes the blame for the team's late arrival. Speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, he said: “I’ll apologise. I maybe had a part in him being a bit late arriving. We were originally gonna come in on Friday, and we were up in Newport [in Rhode Island].‌"And it’s so beautiful, and I might have suggested, ‘Why don’t we stay here another few days, and just go in at the last moment,’ because the weather was... you know, the climate’s perfect. We got a few extra training sessions done over that weekend, which I feel – if we would have come into Vegas – we may not have. So, I think it worked out well, because the weather here [in Vegas] is [much hotter].”McGregor's absence away from competition has got fans wondering exactly how he will fare on Saturday night. With many insisting he is past his best, Kavanagh is confident that the MMA fraternity will witness the best version of the Irish scrapper on fight night. "We've been super careful this training camp," he said. "He has not a niggle on him, not a bump, not a bruise. 100%. We'll get to see the best version of him."The 37-year-old is looking forward to dusting off the cobwebs as he bids to pick up his first win in six years this weekend. If he comes away with his hand raised, it's fair to say he will have a wide range of potential opponents to choose from. One man who has expressed interest in a potential fight with the 'Notorious' is lightweight champion Justin Gaethje.Article continues belowHowever, McGregor does not appear too keen, revealing at the UFC media day: "Yeah, join the queue, there’s a few. Look, he has the lightweight belt, fair play to him.” He added: “Holloway had him face down a** up, though. Badly face down, so I’m not even thinking of it this time. Would I go down to lightweight again? I’m not so sure. I fancy the triple crown, so less of the disrespect you f****** bum.”Watch UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2 exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office via HBO Max, EE TV, Virgin Media TV, Prime Video and Sky. For more information go to tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice