Conor McGregor and Max Holloway are set to face each other in a welterweight contest at UFC 329 in Las Vegas. This rematch comes over 13 years after their initial encounter, where McGregor secured a unanimous decision victory. The event marks McGregor‘s return to mixed martial arts after a prolonged absence from fighting.
The main event is anticipated to be a significant draw, with McGregor‘s return generating considerable interest. He previously held titles in two divisions, while Holloway is a former UFC featherweight champion. This fight will see both competitors in the welterweight category.
Main Card and Notable Bouts
Beyond the highly anticipated main event, UFC 329 features several other significant matchups. In the co-main event, Paddy Pimblett is scheduled to compete against Benoit Saint Denis in a lightweight bout, aiming to recover from his first UFC loss. Other fights on the main card include Cory Sandhagen versus Mario Bautista, Brandon Royval against Lone’er Kavanagh, and King Green facing Terrance McKinney.
Several preliminary card fights also delivered notable outcomes. Robert Whittaker made a successful debut in the light heavyweight division, securing a knockout victory against Nikita Krylov. Adrian Yanez defeated former champion Cody Garbrandt with a stoppage in the opening round of their bantamweight bout. Additionally, Gable Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, made an emphatic debut in the heavyweight division, overcoming Elisha Ellison.
King Green achieved a comeback victory against Terrance McKinney, finishing the fight with one second remaining in the opening round. After enduring significant pressure from McKinney, Green rallied, delivering a series of strikes that led to the referee stopping the contest. Ryan Gandra also continued his rapid ascent in the middleweight division, securing another first-round knockout victory in just 75 seconds against Zach Reese, improving his UFC record to 2-0.
Fighter Perspectives and Predictions
The upcoming rematch between McGregor and Holloway has prompted various predictions from figures within the MMA community. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall believes McGregor could secure a first-round knockout, citing his power. Conversely, Michael Bisping, the first British UFC champion, suggested that Holloway might survive the initial onslaught and potentially outlast McGregor, who has been away from the octagon for a significant period.
Paddy Pimblett offered a balanced view, stating that an early catch by Conor could lead to a knockout, but if the fight extends beyond the second round, Max might secure a late finish or a decision. Retired UFC champion Demetrious Johnson is backing Holloway, while Paul Felder, a retired lightweight, anticipates a late stoppage victory for Holloway, possibly in the fourth round, suggesting McGregor might fade after the initial 10 minutes.
Other fighters also weighed in. Benoit Saint-Denis believes the longer the fight lasts, the more it will favour Max Holloway. Dricus du Plessis, the UFC middleweight, expressed support for McGregor, stating he would never go against him. Terrance McKinney and Bobby Green both offered 50/50 predictions, acknowledging McGregor‘s power but also Holloway‘s consistent work ethic. Robert Whittaker is backing Max, highlighting his experience in battle-tested, five-round fights. Mason Jones, however, predicts a McGregor win within three rounds, citing his size advantage at 170lb. Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista both favour Holloway, pointing to conditioning and the fight’s duration as key factors. Gable Steveson, while acknowledging McGregor‘s legend status, also leans towards Max for this fight.
McGregor‘s return follows a period of absence, during which he recovered from a leg fracture. His last fight was five years ago. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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Source: mmafighting.com
