McGregor vs Holloway LIVE!
Conor McGregor’s UFC future looks to be in major doubt after he suffered a serious-looking injury blow on his long-awaited return to the octagon. McGregor’s high-profile comeback at UFC 329 against Max Holloway on Saturday night following five years out of action lasted just 69 seconds due to a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee sustained almost immediately as he landed badly following an attempted flying kick. McGregor’s pain was instantly apparent and he slipped to the canvas a few times in quick succession before the referee had to wave off proceedings.
The result goes down as a TKO victory for Holloway, who insists that a trilogy fight between the pair will now happen. However, another lengthy lay-off for McGregor - who turns 38 next week - will lead to inevitable questions about his status in the sport, following the horrific broken leg he sustained in the first round on his last outing against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
Paddy Pimblett bounced back from his brutal loss to Justin Gaethje in emphatic style as he choked out Benoit Saint Denis in just 52 seconds in the co-main event at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, after Mario Bautista got revenge on Cory Sandhagen following impressive earlier wins for Brandon Royval and King Green over Lone'er Kavanagh and Terrance McKinney respectively, plus debutant Gable Steveson and Liverpool’s Luke Riley. Follow UFC 329 reaction live below!
UFC 329 latest news
- Conor McGregor injured 69 seconds into UFC return
- McGregor tweets after latest injury blow: 'I am in hell'
- McGregor vows to fight again after second major setback
- Max Holloway wants McGregor trilogy after technical win
- Paddy Pimblett stuns Benoit Saint Denis with 52-second submission
- Pimblett: I can become face of UFC after McGregor injury
Max Holloway hopes for 'speedy' Conor McGregor recovery
18:25 , George Flood
Max Holloway has also taken to social media in the last hour after all the drama at UFC 329 last night.
Though he technically got the win to bounce back from being dominated by Charles Oliveira and dropping the symbolic ‘BMF’ title, it certainly wasn’t ideal after he had worked so hard to prepare for his welterweight debut,
“Not the outcome we wanted but God’s plan is always the right one. Thank you Conor for the fight,” Holloway wrote on X.
“Took a lot to make that walk after these past few years. Sending prayers for a speedy recovery.
“Shout out to my family, team , friends and blessed expressers for the support. What a life we live. See you at the next one.”
Not the outcome we wanted but Gods plan is always the right one. Thank you Conor for fight. Took a lot to make that walk after these past few years. Sending prayers for a speedy recovery. Shout out to my family, team , friends and blessed expressers for the support. What a life… pic.twitter.com/MojRS7Xccc
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 12, 2026
Conor McGregor vows after latest injury blow: I will return
18:14 , George Flood
We’ve heard more on social media from Conor McGregor today after his latest devastating injury setback at UFC 329.
He has once again firmly dismissed all speculation that he looked unsettled or potentially even already injured before he even stepped into the octagon against Max Holloway in Las Vegas last night.
McGregor - who turns 38 on Tuesday - has also confirmed that he intends to fight again despite staring at another lengthy lay-off.
“I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened,” he wrote on X.
“The talk of me being off while walking in to the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident.
“I am in shock what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face here. I am not engaging. I will be at church tomorrow.
“I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return.”
A later post from McGregor recites Christianity’s Nicene Creed.
I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened. The talk of me being off while walking in to the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face…
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 12, 2026
Pimblett's reaction to McGregor injury
11:39 , Alex Young
Paddy Pimblett was being interviewed by UFC at the same time Conor McGregor suffered his injury.
"Oh my god, McGregor's done already? He's finished, the new boy is in town. I can become the face of the organisation now,” Pimblett said.
"What a performance from me. I don't want to blow smoke up my own arse, but what a performance from me."
More from Dana White on a trilogy fight
09:47 , Alex Young
Earlier we gave you UFC president Dana White’s reaction to McGregor’s injury.
Now we have more quotes on a potential third fight between McGregor and Holloway.
“We'll see how this whole thing plays out. There's a lot of unanswered questions right now that will play out over the next several days,” he told reporters.
“I don't know what's going to happen tonight, tomorrow, or Monday, and then we'll get back in the office on Tuesday.
“It's not even worth talking about right now.”
Max Holloway: Now you will get Conor McGregor trilogy fight
08:12 , George Flood
Here is more from Max Holloway’s post-fight interview inside the octagon with Joe Rogan...
“Let's give it up for Conor, what an absolute animal,” he said.
“You guys are lucky because there is going to be a Holloway v McGregor three now. Let's get that money.
“It is what it is. I'll sit down with the UFC. There was so much hype for that. We have to run it back one more time. We need one more.
"I was looking forward to this. I was working hard to get to 170 [lbs] and fight this guy. For it to end like this, it sucks."
UFC post footage of Conor McGregor's warm-up
08:07 , George Flood
As he said, there didn’t look to be any pre-fight issues for Conor McGregor here...
Conor McGregor’s warm-up moments before walking out at #UFC329. pic.twitter.com/tLfK01Jie3
— UFC (@ufc) July 12, 2026
Conor McGregor tweets after injury blow: 'I am in hell'
07:01 , George Flood
Conor McGregor has now spoken for the first time since tonight’s injury via a post on X, in which he says he is “beyond dark” and “in hell” after another major setback that calls his UFC future into serious question.
He also categorically denies any suggestion that he was already injured going into the fight.
“My head gasket is gone,” McGregor writes. “Destroyed. I had no injury / injuries going into the fight.
“I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere.
“I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell.”
My head gasket is gone. Destroyed. I had no injury / injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 12, 2026
06:47 , George Flood
Another video gaining plenty of traction on social media was also shown by the TV broadcast team earlier on.
It shows Conor McGregor looking unsteady as he slips while kicking off his shoes before the fight.
It is being used to speculate that he may have already been carrying an injury coming into the bout.
I can’t see anything in it, though - it looks like he just loses his balance because his right foot briefly gets stuck in the shoe.
If McGregor was already protecting an injury, then flying into that sort of acrobatic kick straight away just makes no sense at all.
You can quite clearly see the moment where he wrecks the knee during that awkward landing.
Just freak stuff unfortunately again for McGregor, five years on from that horrendous leg break against Dustin Poirier - also in the first round.
On that occasion, he broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg.
Was it a wise move to try so quickly? Seems like the adrenaline just took over.
Dana White confirms suspected ACL injury for Conor McGregor
06:40 , George Flood
Hardly a surprise, as it’s certainly what it looked like at the time, but UFC chief Dana White has confirmed in his post-event press conference that he believes Conor McGregor has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee.
“I was expecting at least a one-round war,” White told reporters at T-Mobile Arena.
“Who knew what Conor was capable of as far as cardio or whatever else after a five-year lay-off. We’re assuming [it is a] blown ACL.
“I’m no doctor, but that’s what I figured when I saw it and doctors think the same thing too.”
There is footage now doing the rounds on social media of McGregor looking very emotional indeed as he left the arena.
Max Holloway insists third Conor McGregor fight will happen
04:57 , George Flood
Conor McGregor limped out and away from the octagon as Max Holloway conducted his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.
A disappointed Holloway praised McGregor as an “animal” and gets the crowd to give him a round of applause for his efforts.
He also insists that a third fight between the pair will now happen.
Conor McGregor comeback ended early by knee injury
04:49 , George Flood
Replays show McGregor clearly appeared to hurt his right knee straight away there while coming flying out of the blocks and trying to land an immediate acrobatic left kick, landing badly on that right leg.
He looks absolutely devastated, understandably.
Holloway knew he was hurt and didn’t want to inflict any unnecessary damage, telling the referee to stop it.
Holloway goes to console McGregor as he sits slumped on his stool against the cage, no doubt raising the prospect of a third fight between them.
Holloway is the winner by TKO, but it’s not the way he would have wanted it after working so hard to prepare for his welterweight debut.
This is after McGregor’s last fight five years ago against Dustin Poirier ended with a horrific leg break in the first round.
You have to wonder if that’s the last we’ve seen of him in the octagon.
Conor McGregor's UFC return ends in 69 seconds after injury
04:43 , George Flood
Oh dear.
McGregor slips once again and it quickly becomes very clear that he’s badly injured.
He can barely stand and won’t be able to continue as the fight is waved off after only 69 seconds of round one.
What an anti-climax.
Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway
04:40 , George Flood
HERE WE GO!
McGregor is on his back early after slipping while trying to throw out some early kicks.
He went straight for a flying left kick there and may have hurt himself...
Conor McGregor back in UFC after five years
04:37 , George Flood
Here he is!
Traditional Celtic music gives way to ‘Hypnotise’ by The Notorious B.I.G. and McGregor strolls to the octagon, with that new mohawk and very styled beard.
Once inside, he delivers his signature ‘billionaire strut’.
The T-Mobile Arena crowd are loving seeing all of this again from the biggest star in MMA and UFC history.
We will be underway after the final introductions from Bruce Buffer.
Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway next
04:31 , George Flood
Not much time to dwell on that stunning statement submission win from Paddy Pimblett as we move straight on to tonight’s massive UFC 329 main event in Las Vegas.
Max Holloway is on his way to the octagon as he prepares for a second fight with Conor McGregor, who is about to compete in the UFC for the first time since July 2021.
Strap in, folks. This should be anything but dull...
Paddy Pimblett pays further tribute to Diogo Jota
04:29 , George Flood
Liverpool fan Pimblett leads the T-Mobile Arena crowd in a chant in memory of late Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota, following the recent one-year anniversary of his death in a car accident.
It was otherwise a typically outspoken, confident and expletive-laden post-fight interview from Pimblett with Joe Rogan, insisting he will fight anyone next and “punch their f*****g heads in” - from Ilia Topuria to Justin Gaethje.
Paddy Pimblett submits Benoit Saint Denis in 52 seconds
04:17 , George Flood
Absolutely astonishing from Paddy Pimblett.
Saint Denis just cannot escape that ruthless guillotine choke but refuses to tap and looks to be unconscious on the mat.
The referee raises his arm and it falls floppy, so the fight is off after only 52 seconds.
What a win and what an answer to that brutal first UFC loss to Justin Gaethje in January.
‘Paddy the Baddy’ is right back in that lightweight title mix.
Could we see a rematch with Gaethje? He’s in the crowd tonight...
Paddy Pimblett vs Benoit Saint Denis
04:12 , George Flood
Pimblett starts incredibly fast and has a tight guillotine locked in within seconds!
Wow. Saint Denis is in major trouble here and may already be out cold after scrambling to try and release that iron grip.
04:11 , George Flood
Conor McGregor looks to have gone for a full mohawk tonight.
An interesting choice...
Make way for The Notorious 🇮🇪@TheNotoriousMMA | #UFC329 pic.twitter.com/WJbW40e0nM
— UFC (@ufc) July 12, 2026
Paddy Pimblett vs Benoit Saint Denis
04:07 , George Flood
The signature dancing continues as Pimblett plays up to this adoring crowd.
Saint Denis’ walk to the octagon couldn’t be more contrasting, serious and understated.
The ‘God of War’ is draped in the French flag.
Paddy Pimblett vs Benoit Saint Denis
04:03 , George Flood
You only have to listen to this now electric T-Mobile Arena crowd to find out who is next up on the stacked UFC 329 fight card in Las Vegas.
Loud chants of “Oh Paddy the Baddy” echo around the venue as Paddy Pimblett makes his way to the octagon from backstage, dancing all the way as usual.
He is looking to bounce back quickly from his brutal first UFC loss to Justin Gaethje in January as he fights French former special forces operator Benoit Saint Denis, who has won his last three bouts.
This could be another seriously tough challenge for Pimblett.
Mario Bautista beats Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision
03:52 , George Flood
All three judges score the fight 29-28 in favour of Mario Bautista, who successfully avenges his defeat by Cory Sandhagen from 2019.
He will hope to be in the mix for a bantamweight title shot sooner rather than later.
Back-to-back wins now for Bautista.
Sandhagen has lost two in a row and three of his last four.
Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista go the distance
03:50 , George Flood
Bautista takes control in the third and final round, having allowed himself to be bested by Sandhagen almost fighting on one leg there.
He lands well and has Sandhagen in trouble on the mat, trying to angle himself effectively for a potential submission attempt.
It’s truly gruelling fare as Sandhagen twice battles back to his feet, the first time only to be smashed straight back down with the takedown.
Sandhagen produces a brief takedown of his own, but he can’t keep Bautista on the floor.
Sandhagen drills in a late elbow and there’s one final takedown from Bautista, but there’s no time left to capitalise.
Both men raise their hands after the final buzzer, but that should be Bautista’s victory.
A superb effort from Sandhagen though, given that obvious damage to his left leg suffered early on.
Cory Sandhagen vs Mario Bautista
03:42 , George Flood
The first two rounds have whizzed by in this contest.
Sandhagen looked to seriously hurt his left leg in the opener, but recovered fantastically to take that second.
All to play for in the third...
Cory Sandhagen vs Mario Bautista
03:29 , George Flood
Just three more fights to go now at UFC 329, with Benoit Saint Denis vs Paddy Pimblett and Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 2 both on the way very soon in Las Vegas.
But first up at T-Mobile Arena, we pay another visit to the men’s bantamweight ranks, where No4 Cory Sandhagen meets No5 Mario Bautista as both men eye a potential shot at champion Petr Yan.
Sandhagen had his initial chance against former title-holder Merab Dvalishvili in October, but lost on points at UFC 320.
Bautista, meanwhile, bounced back from his loss to Umar Nurmagomedov by submitting Vinicius Oliveira in February.
These two men first met in Brooklyn back in January 2019, when Sandhagen won by submission in the first round with an armbar.
Brandon Royval submits Lone’er Kavanagh in third round
03:15 , George Flood
A sensational final round to a brilliant, high-tempo fight.
Momentum continues to swing sharply back and forth, with chances for both men to secure either a stoppage or a submission.
Both land big shots and both are hurt, both have their opportunities on the mat.
But in the end, Royval gets a bloodied Kavanagh’s back and locks in a rear-naked choke that leaves the Londoner with no choice but to tap out.
He was almost out cold there. Only a second career loss for Kavanagh.
Brandon Royval vs Lone’er Kavanagh
03:08 , George Flood
The tempo to this fight is quite something as Royval continues to put the pressure on wherever possible.
However, Kavanagh is catching the eye with some of these spinning kicks and combinations that are finding their mark.
Replays show it was a brilliant counter right hand that rocked Royval and put him down.
He did so well to recover from that.
Brandon Royval vs Lone’er Kavanagh
03:05 , George Flood
Kavanagh seriously ups the tempo in round two after a disappointing opener and he suddenly badly hurts Royval, driving him across the octagon and down to the floor in some style.
This looks extremely dangerous for Royval with Kavanagh on top and crashing down more big shots, but somehow he ends up back on his feet and is now back to asking more questions of his own.
Phenomenal recovery.
Brandon Royval vs Lone’er Kavanagh
03:02 , George Flood
A sharp start from Royval, who is so light on his feet with fast movement and catches a couple of attempted early kicks from Kavanagh.
Royval is dominating this first round, having the better of the exchanges on the feet before taking Kavanagh down and then exerting serious pressure on the ground.
Kavanagh gets back up and ends the first with a smart move of his own to leave Royval on his back, rattling in some kicks on the ground before the horn blares.
Definitely round one to the American.
Brandon Royval vs Lone’er Kavanagh
02:54 , George Flood
Talented London flyweight Lone’er Kavanagh is up next at T-Mobile Arena, taking on Brandon Royval.
It’s a battle that pits the No4 against the No5 in a division currently ruled by Joshua Van, who dethroned Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323 in December before successfully defending the belt against Tatsuro Taira in May.
Kavanagh is 10-1 for his career and bounced back from that maiden loss to Charles Johnson by dominating former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno in Mexico City in February.
His fifth UFC fight is against Royval, who lost to Van in the fight of the year for 2025 and was then stopped in the first round by Manel Kape in December.
Royval challenged for the flyweight belt in 2023, but lost to Pantoja by decision.
King Green stops Terrance McKinney in first round
02:35 , George Flood
McKinney tries to lock in a submission but Green escapes and gets back to his feet, landing some smart front kicks to the body.
After exerting so much first-round pressure, McKinney is suddenly in a world of trouble here as he eats some massive punches from Green.
It was a body shot that seemed to sink McKinney, who was exhausted and fell to his knees before Green jumped on him and rained down punches that forced the referee to step in with two seconds left in the round.
Incredible from a man who turns 40 in September! His 36th career win in a 31st UFC fight.
King Green vs Terrance McKinney
02:31 , George Flood
A vicious start to this fight and both men are cut early on after trading some heavy strikes.
Blood is pouring from a gash on Green’s face.
McKinney performs a textbook takedown and a bloodied Green looks in a lot of trouble against the cage, with so much time left in the opening round.
McKinney is raining down thunderous strikes and elbows and tries to take Green’s neck.
Green manages to sit up and backs McKinney against the cage, punching back at him with blood pooled all over the mat.
Max Holloway arrives
02:28 , George Flood
Max Holloway is in the building!
The closer we get to tonight’s main event, the more I think he’s going to win against Conor McGregor - and win well.
Ohana means family ❤️@BlessedMMA has arrived for #UFC329!
— UFC (@ufc) July 12, 2026
[ LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/ngWBOTtigg
King Green vs Terrance McKinney
02:24 , George Flood
To the men’s lightweight division first on tonight’s stacked main card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Veteran King Green, who turns 40 in September, fights in the UFC for the 31st time as he takes on his friend Terrance McKinney.
Green - who has 35 career wins under his belt - is riding a three-fight winning streak since back-to-back defeats by Paddy Pimblett and Mauricio Ruffy, outpointing Lance Gibson Jr, stopping Daniel Zellhuber and submitting Jeremy Stephens.
He has a really tough test ahead against McKinney, who spends very little actual time inside the octagon. Win or lose, it’s usually over inside a round or maybe two.
‘T Wrecks’ was submitted by Chris Duncan at UFC 323 in December, but bounced back by stopping Kyle Nelson in the first round in Seattle in March.
McGregor slaps off Holloway's glasses in intense final face-off
02:14 , George Flood
There has been a good mix of feistiness and respect this week between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway in the build-up to their main-event showdown at UFC 329.
Tensions briefly boiled over at Friday’s final face-off, when McGregor ripped off Holloway’s Meta glasses during a typically intense and charged staredown.
The duo had to be separated by security, with UFC CEO Dana White also stepping in.
UFC 329 main card coming up
02:01 , George Flood
The prelims are officially over now at UFC 329.
The five-fight main card is up next, headlined of course by Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the octagon against Max Holloway.
Paddy Pimblett comes before that, facing Benoit Saint Denis at lightweight in the co-main event.
Cory Sandhagen takes on Mario Bautista at bantamweight, while London flyweight Lone’er Kavanagh is up against former title challenger Brandon Royval.
The main card opens with a lightweight tussle between King Green and Terrance McKinney.
Robert Whittaker stops Nikita Krylov in third round
01:55 , George Flood
A seriously impressive debut up at light-heavyweight for Robert Whittaker.
Krylov just isn’t right and is clearly hurt from the outset in round three as Whittaker inflicts more damage immediately.
He then uncorks a devastating right hand that may just have rearranged Krylov’s jaw.
Krylov is forced back and knows something is very wrong now and the contest is stopped.
It would not surprise me if that was broken or dislocated. Ouch.
Robert Whittaker vs Nikita Krylov
01:52 , George Flood
He might give up a lot of size to Krylov, but Whittaker is utilising his speed advantage wonderfully here as he rocks his opponent with some stinging combinations up close in round two.
He hurt and overwhelmed Krylov at times there.
Krylov just had no answers for those vicious close-range attacks and his gameplan seemed to rather go out the window.
Surely 1-1 in terms of rounds now.
Robert Whittaker vs Nikita Krylov
01:45 , George Flood
Krylov is towering over Whittaker in there, but the former middleweight champion is having plenty of success in the stand-up exchanges in this feisty opening round.
However, he’s then buzzed by a shot after Krylov drills in a few clever kicks and then knees against the cage.
Whittaker ends the round with a solid punch and head kick combination as the horn sounds.
Robert Whittaker vs Nikita Krylov headlines prelim bill
01:35 , George Flood
Three prelim fights in Las Vegas, three emphatic first-round stoppages.
Australia’s ex-UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker moves up to light-heavyweight next against Nikita Krylov in the feature prelim fight.
Whittaker has moved up to 205lbs after suffering successive losses to Khamzat Chimaev and Reinier de Ridder.
Krylov is coming off his third-round stoppage of Modestas Bukauskas at UFC 324 in January, which saw him recover from consecutive first-round knockout losses to Dominick Reyes and Bogdan Guskov.
Gable Steveson knocks out Elisha Ellison in first round
01:20 , George Flood
Welcome to the UFC, Gable Steveson!
His long-awaited and eagerly-anticipated octagon debut certainly lives up to the hype.
Ellison looks to be initially holding his own during some furious stand-up exchanges.
However, Steveson’s sheer power tells as he leaves his opponent crumpled against the cage with a ferocious shot.
Ellison tries to continue but Steveson unleashes a spiteful barrage that he has no answers to.
4-0 in MMA now for the Olympic wrestling gold medallist - all of them first-round knockouts.
Gable Steveson vs Elisha Ellison
01:12 , George Flood
It’s up to the heavyweight division now as Elisha ‘The Snack Panther’ Ellison has his work cut out big time against UFC debutant Gable Steveson.
Steveson is arguably the greatest prospect the business has seen for a long, long time, an Olympic gold medallist in wrestling at Tokyo 2020 and former American football player.
He is 3-0 in his short MMA career so far, stopping all of Braden Peterson, Kevin Hein and Hugo Lezama.
Ellison is 5-2 but lost on his UFC debut to Brando Pericic last year.
Conor McGregor: I will destroy Max Holloway
01:03 , George Flood
While we wait for the prelim bill to continue in Las Vegas, here’s more from Conor McGregor at Thursday’s testy and entertaining final press conference with Max Holloway.
“You didn’t lay a glove on me last time,” he said to his opponent, referring to his initial win over Holloway in 2013.
“You’re not gonna lay a glove on me this time. There’s a different animal coming back.
“I’ve got a lot to prove here. And who am I proving it to to? To myself. So you’re up against it.”
He opened: “This is why I’m back, for the love of the game and the love of the fans.
“It’s great to be back here in Las Vegas. You know, five years out, but I’m fighting since I came out of the womb.
“I’ll be fighting until the day I go out. So this is another day for McGregor, baby.
“I’m going to destroy Max. I’m going to eliminate Max. The final opponent of mine, still within the UFC ranks.
“All of my other opponents are gone. Max is the last one left. And on Saturday night, he gets eliminated for good.
“You’re gonna see violence on Saturday night. You’re gonna see a ferocious man. And that’s it.
“What more can I do to show? I’m not here to prove anything to you. I need to prove nothing to no one. It is to myself that I am proving this to.”
Adrian Yanez stops Cody Garbrandt in first round
Sunday 12 July 2026 00:50 , George Flood
What did we tell you!
The two men exchange big punches early on, but huge favourite Yanez gets the job done inside the first round.
Garbrandt is rocked by an initial solid right hook to the chin.
He looks to shake it off, but then takes another wincing right hook to the temple that sends him crashing to the mat.
No coming back from that. Emphatic. Referee Herb Dean waves it off.
One of the wins of his career so far for Yanez against a former bantamweight champion.
Cody Garbrandt vs Adrian Yanez
Sunday 12 July 2026 00:46 , George Flood
Adrian Yanez is 17-6-1 and has won just one of his last five fights in the UFC - stopping Vinicius Salvador in the first round in May 2024.
He drew with Ricky Simon on his last outing in March, having also lost to Jonathan Martinez and Rob Font in recent years.
A showdown between two big punchers seems very unlikely to go the distance.
Strap in for fireworks...
Cody Garbrandt vs Adrian Yanez
Sunday 12 July 2026 00:43 , George Flood
We go to the men’s bantamweight division next on the prelim card at T-Mobile Arena.
Former 135-pound champion Cody Garbrandt is up against fellow striker Adrian Yanez.
The 35-year-old Garbrandt is looking to build on his chaotic and incident-packed unanimous decision victory over Xiao Long of China at UFC 326 back in March.
That was a much-needed return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats by Deiveson Figueiredo and Raoni Barcelos.
He famously beat Dominick Cruz for the bantamweight belt back in 2016, but lost it quickly to T.J. Dillashaw.
What next for Luke Riley after UFC 329 statement?
Sunday 12 July 2026 00:32 , George Flood
Luke Riley tells Joe Rogan in the octagon after that savage first-round stoppage of Kai Kamaka III that he “does not give a f**k” who he fights next - he will battle whomever the UFC ask him to.
He then tries to get the crowd at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to join in a chant of ‘oh Paddy the Baddy’ ahead of training partner Pimblett’s co-main event clash with Benoit Saint Denis later on.
Luke Riley stops Kai Kamaka III in first round
Sunday 12 July 2026 00:25 , George Flood
How about that from Luke Riley!
A supreme performance from the Liverpool native as he stops the experienced Kamaka in the first round.
A shuddering right hand does all the damage initially, dropping Kamaka before the referee steps in with Riley driving in some powerful knees and more spiteful punches.
He stays undefeated and moves to 14-0 for his career, 3-0 in the UFC.
Luke Riley vs Kai Kamaka III begins prelims
Sunday 12 July 2026 00:10 , George Flood
That does it for the early prelims at UFC 329!
The main prelim card will be underway shortly.
Liverpool’s 13-0 Luke Riley is up first, with Paddy Pimblett’s Next Gen stablemate in a featherweight contest against Kai Kamaka III.
Wang Cong beats Tracy Cortez by unanimous decision
Sunday 12 July 2026 00:08 , George Flood
A dominant finish to a straightforward fight for Wang, who gets the victory 29-27 on all three judges’ scorecards.
She wins by unanimous decision and promptly calls out the reigning UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.
Wang previously beat Shevchenko in a kickboxing bout at Kunlun Fight 33 in China back in 2015.
Tracy Cortez vs Wang Cong
Saturday 11 July 2026 23:54 , George Flood
Wang doesn’t really seize the initiative with Cortez clearly hurt and almost operating on one leg with that left calf so beaten up.
But she’s doing more than enough to be totally controlling and dominating this fight.
She’s striking very well and cannot miss with those damaging calf kicks.
Wang only has one stoppage win in six previous UFC fights.
Cortez’s face is showing a lot of damage, particularly around her right eye.
Tracy Cortez vs Wang Cong
Saturday 11 July 2026 23:49 , George Flood
The tough and durable Cortez is trying to stay in this fight, but she just cannot avoid those stinging kicks to her battered left calf.
She ends up down once more against the fence - but then receives a dreadful illegal knee to the head from Wang.
That was nasty.
Referee Jason Herzog immediately reads her the riot act and will deservedly take a point off.
Tracy Cortez vs Wang Cong
Saturday 11 July 2026 23:45 , George Flood
But hang on just a moment!
Cortez responds to the early pressure with a takedown and now tries to lock in the guillotine with Wang backed up against the cage.
She can’t quite pull it off, however, with the horn sounding for the end of round one.
Definitely Wang’s round.
“We’re not in a “f*****g kickboxing match” Cortez is told in her corner, who very much want a focus on wrestling here.
“You gave her that round.”
Tracy Cortez vs Wang Cong
Saturday 11 July 2026 23:43 , George Flood
A great start by Wang, who has already bloodied Cortez’s mouth and is kicking away sharply at her calves - putting her down with one efficient early sweep.
The solid strikes and sharp kicks continue, with ‘The Joker’ making faces at her opponent.
An ominous start for Cortez, whose face is already smeared in blood and her left calf extremely red.
Tracy Cortez vs Wang Cong
Saturday 11 July 2026 23:34 , George Flood
The final fight of the early prelims is our only women’s bout of the night.
It’s at flyweight, where it’s No8 versus No10 in the division as American Tracy Cortez - now based in Mexico City - battles Wang ‘The Joker’ Cong of China.
Cortez has lost two of her last three fights against Rose Namajunas and Erin Blanchfield, submitted by the latter at UFC 322 on her last outing in November.
Striking specialist Wang, a former boxer and kickboxer, has won three fights since her maiden MMA defeat by Gabriella Fernandes in 2024 - outpointing three more Brazilian opponents in Bruna Brasil, Ariane da Silva and Eduarda Moura.
Valentina Shevchenko is of course the reigning champion in the women’ flyweight division.
Damian Pinas knocks out Cesar Almeida in first round
Saturday 11 July 2026 23:26 , George Flood
Pinas walked slowly towards a helpless Almeida on the deck there and had his hand ready to strike, looking at the referee and finally bringing it down but only landing a glancing blow before it was waved off.
Pinas shook his head in disappointment at how long that took.
He did not want to inflict any unnecessary damage on Almeida after that crushing right hand.
A statement performance against a veteran from Pinas.
Damian Pinas knocks out Cesar Almeida in first round
Saturday 11 July 2026 23:23 , George Flood
Our second huge first-round stoppage of the night!
Almeida throws a probing kick but promptly gets absolutely crunched by a brutal right hand that sends the Brazilian falling backwards to the mat.
Pinas then hesitates, not wanting to deal any more damage to an opponent who clearly won’t be able to continue.
He rather beckons the referee to stop the fight, which he does eventually.
Brilliant sportsmanship.
Damian Pinas vs Cesar Almeida
Saturday 11 July 2026 23:14 , George Flood
It’s now time for the penultimate fight of this early prelim portion of the card.
Surinamese middleweight prospect Damian ‘The Baba Yaga’ Pinas - who also represents Aruba - looks to build on his debut UFC stoppage win against Wes Schultz back in February.
He’s up against veteran former kickboxer Cesar Almeida of Brazil, 37, who has won three of his five bouts in the UFC so far but is coming off a decision loss to Cezary Oleksiejczuk in December.
Farid Basharat beats John Garza by unanimous decision
Saturday 11 July 2026 23:07 , George Flood
We go to the scorecards for the first time tonight.
They read 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 - all in favour of Farid Basharat, who stays undefeated and moves to 16-0.
Deserved, but you have to give Garza his props for a promising performance on what was his UFC debut.
Basharat tells Joe Rogan in the octagon afterwards that he thinks he deserves a new contract first and foremost after extending the bantamweight division’s longest unbeaten streak in what was the final fight on his current deal.
He believes he is the most underrated fighter on the entire UFC roster and insists he will become champion if handed fresh terms.
Over to you, Dana White...
Farid Basharat vs John Garza
Saturday 11 July 2026 23:02 , George Flood
Basharat is being made to work extremely hard here in the third and final round.
He’s looking jaded as the far more energetic and sprightly Garza continues to shine during the stand-up exchanges.
He’s landing plenty of crisp punches and driving knees up close.
Basharat has to take this back to the mat - it’s too risky to continue to engage on his feet.
Basharat does take him back down for the fifth time and should have done enough on the floor to preserve his unbeaten status.
A fine effort from Garza, though.
Farid Basharat vs John Garza
Saturday 11 July 2026 22:56 , George Flood
This is a very entertaining clash at bantamweight, where Garza is giving a great account of himself against the undefeated Basharat.
Two rounds down and Garza has been showing his fine striking ability after being tested on the mat and absorbing a vicious head kick.
McGregor and Holloway both at career-heaviest weights
Saturday 11 July 2026 22:54 , George Flood
Conor McGregor and Max Holloway are both at career-heaviest weights for tonight’s main event at UFC 329.
McGregor tipped the scales at 170.5lbs on Friday, while Holloway was at 170lbs exactly.
This fight is up at welterweight, where McGregor - the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion - has fought three times in his career, in both bouts against Nate Diaz and in his last win over Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone in January 2020.
Holloway is also a former featherweight champion who has spent plenty of time at lightweight, but is set to make his welterweight debut tonight.
Farid Basharat vs John Garza
Saturday 11 July 2026 22:45 , George Flood
Right, on we go with tonight’s early prelim bill at T-Mobile Arena.
The third fight of the night is at bantamweight, where the undefeated, 15-0 Farid Basharat - who was born in Afghanistan and fights out of Florida via the UK - takes on the 6-1 John “Mowgli” Garza.
Trilogy fight? I will retire Holloway tonight, says McGregor
Saturday 11 July 2026 22:42 , George Flood
For all the talk of Conor McGregor’s potential retirement, he has vowed to end Max Holloway’s own illustrious UFC career tonight.
The Irishman gave very short shrift indeed to Holloway’s claims that a victory for the latter tonight would set up a decisive trilogy showdown between the pair, with McGregor having outpointed Holloway in a thrilling first fight some 13 years ago.
“I find it disrespectful,” McGregor said.
“I find it shows he is here for the economics of it. He must not realise the danger he is in.
“I forecast Holloway’s retirement on Saturday night. Not a trilogy for cash.”
McGregor: I can destroy Holloway inside 10 seconds
Saturday 11 July 2026 22:37 , George Flood
The return of Conor McGregor to UFC action also means the return of his confident and braggadocious ‘Mystic Mac’ predictions.
“I can destroy Max inside 10 seconds,” McGregor said at the final pre-fight press conference this week.
“I have knockouts inside three seconds on my fighting record.
“I have Hall of Fame fighters, multiples, Hall of Fame UFC fighters, defeated and destroyed both together in under a minute. I can add Max to that.
“However, don’t get it twisted, if we go into these deep waters Max is going to be in a lot of trouble. Badly concussed.
“I think his boxing is abysmal, I don’t rate it once. He has one gear and it’s not impressive.
“Very rarely have we seen magic inside the octagon from Max Holloway. Little evil Holloway. Saturday night, he gets destroyed.”
Ryan Gandra continues formidable knockout streak
Saturday 11 July 2026 22:33 , George Flood
Ryan Gandra is nicknamed ‘Problema’ for a reason.
His MMA career so far is littered with such explosive first-round stoppages - that was his fourth in a row and second in the UFC, after his debut against Jose Medina in February lasted just 41 seconds in Mexico City.
A ninth victory overall for Gandra, who looks a big talent.
Ryan Gandra stops Zachary Reese in first round
Saturday 11 July 2026 22:28 , George Flood
WOW!
That’s what I call an explosive early stoppage.
Gandra detonates an absolute monster of an overhand left that lands flush on the exposed chin and sends Reese down to the canvas.
The American is powerless to stop his opponent from then raining down further heavy blows with both fists as the referee pushes him off and calls a quick-fire halt to the contest.
What a shot.
Ryan Gandra vs Zachary Reese
Saturday 11 July 2026 22:25 , George Flood
It’s another Brazil vs USA fight in our second contest of the night on the early prelim card.
We’re off to the middleweight division, where the 9-1 Ryan Gandra takes on Zachary Reese, who is a training partner of two-time champion Sean Strickland.
The busy Reese is seeking to bounce back from his split-decision defeat by another Brazilian Michel Pereira in Houston in February.
This is his fifth UFC outing in a little over a year.
Alessandro Costa submits Cody Durden in first fight
Saturday 11 July 2026 22:18 , George Flood
We have our first result of the night officially in the books at T-Mobile Arena.
Brazilian flyweight Alessandro Costa locks in the rear-naked choke to submit American Cody Durden in the second round in the opening fight on the early prelim card.
Superb jiu-jitsu skills from Costa, who gets his first submission win in the UFC.
It looked so brutal, with blood popping out of a wound on Durden’s forehead as he tapped out.
Pimblett faces Saint Denis in co-main event
Saturday 11 July 2026 22:11 , George Flood
Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 2 is far from the only show in town tonight of course.
Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett is in the chief support act as he takes on French ‘God of War’ Benoit Saint Denis - a former special forces solider - in a tough lightweight contest.
The Liverpool favourite returns less than six months after his brutal five-round battle with Justin Gaethje in January that resulted in a bloody first UFC loss and his first in MMA of any kind since his Cage Warriors days in 2018.
Pimblett missed out on the interim lightweight title that night, though is hoping to put himself right back in contention for another shot at Gaethje - who became the undisputed lightweight champion with a stunning victory over the previously undefeated Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House last month.
McGregor vs Holloway prediction
Saturday 11 July 2026 22:02 , George Flood
It is quite hard to predict tonight’s main event, for the obvious reason that it has just been so long now since we last saw Conor McGregor in the octagon.
His last two fights against rival Dustin Poirier - both losses - ended after two rounds and one round respectively, the latter due to a horrific freak leg break, while his last win was also inside a round against Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone in January 2020.
He hasn’t been more than two rounds since that infamous four-round submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018.
McGregor has not won a fight that went more than two rounds since avenging his defeat by Nate Diaz in August 2016, which was followed by him winning the lightweight title against Eddie Alvarez.
Does a man who turns 38 next week still have that explosive start and power in him to send out a real statement on his return?
Quite possibly, but you have to say it’s doubtful.
Max Holloway has fought eight times since McGregor’s last UFC appearance and has continued to add some glittering highlights to his illustrious career, including sending Poirier into retirement and producing that unforgettable last-second shock knockout of Justin Gaethje.
Though he was dominated from the outset by Charles Oliveira as he dropped a decision to relinquish the symbolic ‘BMF’ title on his last outing at UFC 326 in March, we’re backing him to get the job done well tonight and potentially send McGregor into retirement.
UFC 329 fight card in full
Saturday 11 July 2026 21:51 , George Flood
Main card
Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway
Benoit Saint Denis vs Paddy Pimblett
Cory Sandhagen vs Mario Bautista
Brandon Royval vs Lone’er Kavanagh
King Green vs Terrance McKinney
Prelims
Nikita Krylov vs Robert Whittaker
Gable Stevenson vs Elisha Ellison
Cody Garbrandt vs Adrian Yanez
Luke Riley vs Kai Kamaka III
Early prelims
Tracy Cortez vs Wang Cong
Damian Pinas vs Cesar Almeida
Farid Basharat vs John Garza
Ryan Gandra vs Zachary Reese
Alessandro Costa vs Cody Durden
How to watch UFC 329
Saturday 11 July 2026 21:49 , George Flood
TV channel: In the UK, UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2 is being broadcast live on TNT Sports Box Office. The event costs £19.99 to purchase.
The early prelims begin at 10pm BST, which is 5pm ET and 3pm PT in the United States.
The prelims start at 12am BST, 7pm ET and 5pm PT, with the main card from 2am BST, 9pm ET and 7pm PT.
Live stream: The show can be bought via HBO Max and viewed through their website or app.
As ever, the early prelim card is being broadcast exclusively live on UFC Fight Pass, which currently costs £7.99 a month in the UK or £71.99 for an annual subscription.
Paramount+ is the home of live UFC events in the USA.
UFC 329 live
Saturday 11 July 2026 21:43 , George Flood
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of a huge night at UFC 329.
Conor McGregor steps back into the octagon for the first time in five years as he battles Max Holloway for the second time in a massive welterweight main event.
There is plenty of other intriguing action on a stacked fight card at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, with Paddy Pimblett out to quickly return to the lightweight title mix less than six months after suffering a brutal first UFC loss at the hands of Justin Gaethje.
London flyweight Lone'er Kavanagh and Pimblett’s Next Gen stablemate Luke Riley are among the other fighters on the bill.
The early prelims begin at around 10pm BST, 5pm ET and 3pm PT, so stick with us for live updates throughout the night.
