UFC 329: Conor McGregor Returns to Face Max Holloway in Blockbuster Rematch

UFC 329 is set to be one of the biggest mixed martial arts events of the year, with former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor making his long-awaited return to the Octagon after more than four years. The event, which serves as the centerpiece of International Fight Week in Las Vegas, will feature McGregor facing former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway in a welterweight main event. The bout is a rematch of their first meeting in August 2013, when McGregor defeated Holloway by unanimous decision.

Stacked UFC 329 Fight Card, Betting Favorites, and McGregor’s Long-Awaited Return Take Center Stage

The fight card includes several high-profile matchups alongside the main event. Paddy Pimblett takes on Benoit St. Denis in a lightweight clash, while Cory Sandhagen faces Mario Bautista in a key bantamweight contest. Other notable bouts include Lone’er Kavanagh versus Brandon Royval and King Green against Terrance McKinney.

The preliminary card features former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker facing Nikita Krylov, Olympic wrestling gold medalist Gable Steveson making his UFC debut against Elisha Ellison, Adrian Yanez meeting Cody Garbrandt, and Luke Riley taking on Kai Kamaka III. The early prelims round out the event with fights including Cong Wang vs. Tracy Cortez, Cesar Almeida vs. Damian Pinas, Ryan Gandra vs. Zach Reese, and Alessandro Costa vs. Cody Durden.

Conor McGregor Returns to Face Max Holloway in Blockbuster Rematch

Early betting odds favor Holloway over McGregor in the main event. Holloway is listed as a significant favorite, while McGregor enters as the underdog. Other favorites on the card include Benoit St. Denis, Cory Sandhagen, Lone’er Kavanagh, Terrance McKinney, Robert Whittaker, Gable Steveson, Adrian Yanez, and Luke Riley.

McGregor’s return has generated considerable excitement after several failed comeback attempts. In 2024, he was originally scheduled to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but the fight was canceled after McGregor suffered a broken toe during training. That injury added to a series of setbacks that have kept the Irish star out of competition since July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier. Since October 2018, McGregor has compiled a 1-3 record, with his lone victory coming against Donald Cerrone via first-round TKO in January 2020.

Max Holloway’s Activity, Strong Form, and Betting Edge Fuel Anticipation for UFC 329 Rematch

In contrast, Holloway has remained one of the UFC’s most active and successful fighters. Since McGregor’s last appearance, Holloway has competed eight times, posting a 5-3 record. Although he fell short in title fights against Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria and lost a symbolic BMF title bout to Charles Oliveira, Holloway earned notable victories over Yair Rodriguez, Arnold Allen, Korean Zombie, Justin Gaethje to capture the BMF title, and Dustin Poirier in a successful BMF title defense. His recent activity and consistent performances have made him the betting favorite heading into the rematch.

The betting market has shifted significantly since the fight was first announced. Holloway initially opened as a heavy favorite, while McGregor was considered a substantial underdog. As fight night approaches, the odds have narrowed slightly but still favor Holloway, reflecting confidence in his recent form and activity compared with McGregor’s lengthy absence from competition.

Beyond the main event, UFC 329 is expected to be a major attraction for fans during International Fight Week. Previous marquee events in Las Vegas have generated record-breaking ticket sales, with UFC 306 becoming the promotion’s first event to surpass a $20 million live gate. Although ticket prices for UFC 329 have yet to be announced, expectations remain high that McGregor’s return will draw significant fan interest and make the event one of the most-watched UFC cards of the year.