Conor McGregor is set to make his return to the octagon in a highly anticipated rematch against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas. The event, held at the T-Mobile Arena, marks McGregor’s first fight in five years and will see the two former champions compete in a welterweight contest. Their initial encounter over 13 years ago resulted in a unanimous decision victory for McGregor.
McGregor, a former UFC two-division champion, has been absent from fighting for a prolonged period. His last fight saw him airlifted from the same arena in 2021 due to a catastrophic leg fracture. Holloway, a former UFC featherweight champion, will be making his debut in the welterweight division for this fight. McGregor has secured only two wins in the past 10 years and has won just one of his last four fights.
Main Event and Co-Main Event
The main event features the much-discussed rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway. This fight is seen by some as an opportunity for McGregor to boost his financial standing and for TKO Group Holdings to benefit from increased interest. McGregor has stated, “I’m not here to win anyone back.”
In the co-main event, Paddy Pimblett is scheduled to face Benoit Saint Denis in a lightweight contest. Pimblett will be looking to recover from his first UFC loss in this bout.
Other fights on the main card include a bantamweight contest between Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista, a flyweight bout featuring Brandon Royval against Lone’er Kavanagh, and a lightweight match-up between King Green and Terrance McKinney.
Key Undercard Bouts and Performances
Robert Whittaker made a successful debut in the light heavyweight division at UFC 329, securing a knockout victory over Nikita Krylov. Despite a size disadvantage, Whittaker’s speed and power were evident throughout the fight. The end came after Whittaker landed a stiff right hand, followed by another significant strike that led to Krylov’s defeat.
Adrian Yanez delivered another knockout loss to former champion Cody Garbrandt in a preliminary bantamweight bout. Yanez’s barrage of punches forced a stoppage less than three minutes into the opening round. Additionally, Gable Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, made an emphatic debut in the heavyweight division by defeating Elisha Ellison. Steveson, who has a professional record of 3-0, showcased a barrage of strikes, eventually stopping Ellison with a left hand.
Other notable performances included Damian Pinas, who demonstrated his punching power by overcoming a slow start to land a devastating right hand against his opponent. Ryan Gandra, a Brazilian fighter, continued his rapid ascent in the middleweight division with another knockout, improving his UFC record to 2-0 and securing his fourth straight first-round knockout in just 75 seconds.
In the lightweight division, King Green achieved a remarkable comeback against Terrance McKinney. After spending much of the opening round on his back, Green survived and then unleashed a series of shots, including a stiff body kick, leading to a stoppage at 4:59 in the opening round. Green, one of the most experienced fighters on the UFC roster, holds a record of 16-12-1 (1 NC) inside the octagon and is currently on an unexpected win streak.
Fighter Predictions for McGregor vs. Holloway
The upcoming rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway has generated various predictions from mixed martial arts figures. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall favours a McGregor win, predicting a first-round knockout due to McGregor’s power. He believes McGregor will land a significant left hand.
Conversely, Michael Bisping, the first British UFC champion, predicts a Holloway victory. He suggests that while McGregor will start aggressively, Holloway will survive the initial onslaught and eventually wear McGregor down, potentially seeing the fight go past the first round. Paddy Pimblett offered a 50/50 prediction, noting that if McGregor lands early, he could secure a knockout, but if the fight extends beyond the second round, Holloway might take over.
Retired UFC champion Demetrious Johnson is backing Holloway, citing McGregor’s potential grappling weaknesses. Paul Felder, a retired UFC lightweight, also leans towards Holloway, predicting a late stoppage, possibly in the fourth round, suggesting McGregor might fade after a strong start. Benoit Saint-Denis, a UFC lightweight, believes the longer the fight lasts, the more it will favour Holloway. Dricus du Plessis, the UFC middleweight champion, remains loyal to McGregor, stating he will “never go against him.”
Terrance McKinney and Bobby Green both offered 50/50 predictions, with McKinney suggesting a McGregor win in the first two rounds or a Holloway victory by decision or TKO in the fourth. Green acknowledged McGregor’s advantages but also Holloway’s consistent work ethic. Robert Whittaker supports Holloway, highlighting his battle-tested experience in five-round fights. Mason Jones, a UFC lightweight, predicts a McGregor win within three rounds, citing his size advantage at 170lb. Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista both favour Holloway, emphasizing conditioning and the fight’s duration as key factors. Gable Steveson, while acknowledging McGregor’s legendary status, also predicts a win for Holloway.
The ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC 329 took place in Las Vegas, with the event scheduled for Saturday night.
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Source: mmafighting.com