The UFC is going all out for International Fight Week. UFC 329 has officially been announced, and the card is packed with returning stars, title contenders, rising prospects, and fan-friendly matchups from top to bottom. The headline attraction is the long-awaited return of Conor McGregor, who is set to face Max Holloway in a welterweight main event that already has the MMA world talking.
Beyond the main event, the UFC stacked the lineup with action-heavy fights including Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoît Saint Denis, Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista, and the UFC debut of Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson. Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker will also make his light heavyweight debut on the prelims against Nikita Krylov.
Let’s discuss each fight in more detail, along with my early predictions and UFC betting analysis for the main card.
Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway: Welterweight Main Event
Conor McGregor is officially set to face Max Holloway in the UFC 329 welterweight main event on July 11. This is one of the biggest fights of the year, marking McGregor’s long-awaited return to the Octagon.
Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway: Early predictions
Holloway is moving up to welterweight for the first time, which could give him a slight size disadvantage when fighting McGregor, who has been bulking up after years away from active competition.
However, Holloway is in better form, with superior cardio and five-round readiness that could challenge McGregor’s pacing. After all, he was just fought what was essentially a title eliminator vs Charles Oliveira, and he is still in his fighting prime.
McGregor may carry the knockout power fans expect, but questions about speed, reflexes, and conditioning linger after his extended hiatus. Holloway’s pressure-heavy style and durable chin make this a risky matchup for McGregor, especially if Max can survive what will likely be an early onslaught. And this is reflected in the UFC odds for the event.
Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoît Saint Denis: Lightweight Co-Main Event
Paddy Pimblett will face Benoît Saint Denis in a highly anticipated lightweight bout at UFC 329. This matchup pits two aggressive, finish-oriented fighters against each other, ranked #6 and #5 in the division respectively. Both bring a mix of brawling stand-up and solid jiu-jitsu, promising an action-packed contest from start to finish.
Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoît Saint Denis: Early predictions
I expect Saint Denis to do what he always does: press the action from a southpaw stance, using kicks to the body and head while hunting for takedowns. Pimblett’s main advantages are his size and submission threats. While he is not the most technical striker, he can crack, and I can see him catching BSD in a guillotine if he isn’t careful. think this could be the fight-of-the-night, at least, if Pimblett can manage to stay off his back.
Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista: Bantamweight Rematch
Cory Sandhagen will face Mario Bautista in a bantamweight rematch at UFC 329. Sandhagen and Bautista previously met in 2019, with Sandhagen submitting Bautista in the first round. Since then, Bautista has improved significantly in both striking and grappling, making this fight much more competitive.
Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista: Early predictions
Sandhagen’s speed, combo striking, and excellent calf kicks give him an edge on the feet, but Bautista’s footwork and countering ability could neutralize some of that advantage. If Sandhagen cannot maintain distance and control the pace, Bautista might capitalize with well-timed counters. I expect this bout to be fast-paced and technical, with a lot of back-and-forth action, and it has real potential to be one of the more exciting fights on the card.
Cody Garbrandt vs. Adrian Yanez: Bantamweight Bout
Former champ Cody Garbrandt, will face Adrian Yanez in a bantamweight clash at UFC 329. Both fighters are known for their boxing skills. So, this will likely be a technical striking battle between two veterans.
Cody Garbrandt vs. Adrian Yanez: Early predictions
Yanez enters the fight coming off a loss and a draw, where he still showed himself as precise, offensive boxer. Garbrandt will likely need to mix in wrestling and calf kicks to offset Yanez’s striking and create openings. However, Garbrant often prefers to simply box, and in this match, that might leave him vulnerable.
If Cody cannot adapt to Yanez’s pace and offense, he may struggle to control the bout. And with Yanez precise punches, we may see Cody KO’ed again.
Robert Whittaker vs. Nikita Krylov: Light Heavyweight Bout
Robert Whittaker will face Nikita Krylov in a light heavyweight matchup at UFC 329. Whittaker, a former middleweight champion, is moving up in weight for the first time in his UFC career, while Krylov brings size, power, and experience at 205 pounds.
Robert Whittaker vs. Nikita Krylov: Early predictions
Whittaker’s speed, scrambling ability, and technical striking give him advantages in movement and counters, but Krylov’s power and size could present challenges. If Whittaker can avoid heavy shots and control the pace, he may pick apart Krylov with angles and precise strikes.
Conversely, Krylov could capitalize on any mistakes with strong striking and takedown attempts. After seeing Whittaker lose twice in a row to some of the largest middleweights in Khamzat Chimaev and Renier de Ridder, I have serious doubts regarding his potential at light-heavyweight. This fight is likely to test Whittaker’s adaptability in a heavier division and will likely be telling for the rest of his career.
Brandon Royval vs. Lone’er Kavanagh: Flyweight Bout
Brandon Royval will face Lone’er Kavanagh in a flyweight matchup at UFC 329. Both fighters are top contenders in the division, ranked #4 and #6 respectively, and bring contrasting styles that make this an intriguing contest. Royval has experience and size, while Kavanagh is faster, more athletic, and technically precise. With two firecrackers, this one has fight of the night written all over it.
Brandon Royval vs. Lone’er Kavanagh: Early predictions
Kavanagh’s speed and clean technique give him the edge in striking exchanges, while Royval may look to leverage his experience and size advantage. Royval’s wild, aggressive style could work if he lands early, but Kavanagh’s movement and accuracy are likely to neutralize much of that power.
I expect Kavanagh to control the pace and dictate the action, though a well-timed submission or scramble from Royval could shift the fight unexpectedly. And let’s not forget Royval’s technical boxing. If he manages to implement his jab, we could see a completely different fight.