One of the most anticipated UFC fight cards in recent memory is scheduled to take place during the 2026 edition of International Fight Week. That event, UFC 329, is headlined by the return of Conor McGregor. McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion, is set to face ex-UFC featherweight titleholder Max Holloway in a rematch. The fight will be contested at welterweight. UFC 329 takes place on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The UFC has officially announced 12 bouts for the UFC 329 fight card. Also booked for the high-profile Paramount+ streaming card is an important lightweight scrap between Paddy Pimblett and Benoît Saint Denis.
Official UFC 329 Fight Card
Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway
Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoît Saint Denis
Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista
Brandon Royval vs. Lone’er Kavanagh
Gable Steveson vs. Elisha Ellison
Robert Whittaker vs. Nikita Krylov
Cody Garbrandt vs. Adrian Yañez
Tracy Cortez vs. Wang Cong
Damian Pinas vs. César Almeida
Luke Riley vs. Kai Kamaka III
Ryan Gandra vs. Zachary Reese
Ode’ Osbourne vs. Cody Durden
*Card subject to change.
The UFC has not announced the official fight order.
Conor McGregor’s Return
This is not the first time UFC CEO Dana White has announced a McGregor return to the cage. In April 2024, the UFC booked McGregor vs. Michael Chandler for the main event of UFC 303. A month later, White expressed optimism regarding ticket sales for the event, predicting UFC 303, scheduled for June 29, 2024, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, would become the first UFC card to achieve a live gate exceeding $20 million.
However, plans changed in mid-June when McGregor withdrew from UFC 303 due to a broken toe. The card, which was headlined by a light heavyweight title bout between then-champion Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka, ultimately generated a live gate of $15,909,243.
UFC 306 subsequently became the first event to surpass the $20 million live gate milestone, drawing $21,829,245 with an attendance of 16,024 at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
Ticket prices for UFC 329 have not yet been disclosed. This fight card serves as the centerpiece of International Fight Week in Las Vegas.
The 37-year-old McGregor, holding a record of 22-6, has a 1-3 standing since October 2018. His last victory was a TKO against Donald Cerrone in January 2020. He is currently coming off consecutive TKO losses to Dustin Poirier. McGregor’s most recent bout, a July 2021 loss to Poirier, concluded due to a broken leg rendering him unable to continue.
Max Holloway has competed eight times since McGregor’s last UFC appearance, accumulating a record of 5-3 in those bouts. He has faced losses in title fights against Charles Oliveira (for the symbolic BMF belt), Ilia Topuria (featherweight), and Alex Volkanovski (featherweight). The 34-year-old’s victories during this period include wins over Yair Rodriguez, Arnold Allen, Korean Zombie, Justin Gaethje (for the BMF title), and Dustin Poirier (in defense of the BMF title).
McGregor and Holloway’s initial encounter took place at 145 pounds in August 2013, with McGregor securing a decision victory.
Upon the opening of betting odds for their rematch, Holloway was established as a -550 favorite over McGregor, who was listed at +420. Current odds reflect Holloway at -400 and McGregor as the +330 underdog.
Further details regarding UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2 will be released as fight night approaches.
Business Style Takeaway: The UFC’s strategic booking of Conor McGregor’s return for International Fight Week highlights the organization’s reliance on star power to drive significant revenue, particularly through live gate receipts. The anticipation and potential financial success of UFC 329 underscore the enduring marketability of top-tier talent in the combat sports landscape, even amidst past event disruptions.
Source: : www.forbes.com