UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2- Tips and Preview

Headlined by Conor McGregor taking on Max Holloway in his comeback to the octagon, UFC 329 showcases five great fights, including Benoit Saint Denis, Paddy Pimblett and Cory Sandhagen.

UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2

Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway

Career Records:

McGregor – 22-6 (19 wins by KO/TKO)

Holloway – 27-9 (12 wins by KO/TKO)

Last Bouts: 

McGregor def by Poirier – TKO (doctor stoppage) – at UFC 264, July 2021

Holloway def by Oliveira – Decision (unanimous) – at UFC 326, March 2026

Analysis:

Returning to the Octagon for a long-awaited rematch, Conor McGregor will face Max Holloway to headline the UFC 329 card with both men looking to prove they still belong among the UFC’s elite with their legacies on the line.

One of the sport’s most dangerous counter-strikers, McGregor will look to control the distance with his precision left hand and sharp timing and his clearest path to victory is through an early finish in the opening rounds.

Meanwhile, Holloway is expected to rely on his relentless pace, high-volume boxing, and exceptional cardio to wear down his opponent, and he is renowned for his pressure and durability, which overwhelm opponents. The longer the fight goes on, the more likely he is to emerge victorious.

Best Now MATCH RESULT - CONOR MCGREGOR @ $2.72

Benoît Saint-Denis vs Paddy Pimblett

Career Records:

Saint-Denis – 17-3 (1) (6 wins by KO/TKO)

Pimblett – 23-4 (7 wins by KO/TKO)

Last Bouts: 

Saint Denis def Hooker – TKO (punches) – at UFC 325, February 2026

Pimblett def by Gaethje – Decision (unanimous) – at UFC 324, January 2026

Analysis:

In a pivotal lightweight clash, both fighters will look to strengthen their claims for a spot in the division’s top contenders.

Saint Denis is expected to push a relentless pace from the opening bell, using his aggressive forward pressure, wrestling and submission game to drag Pimblett into deep waters. The Frenchman averages multiple takedowns per fight and thrives in chaotic exchanges

Pimblett, meanwhile, is a dangerous finisher in his own right. Having built his success on grappling and striking, he can capitalise on even the smallest mistakes. The key battle will be who controls the wrestling. If Saint Denis can consistently secure takedowns and maintain his trademark pressure, he’ll put Pimblett on the defensive for long periods.

Best Now MATCH RESULT - BENOIT SAINT-DENIS @ $1.67

Cory Sandhagen vs Mario Bautista

Career Records:

Sandhagen – 18-6 (8 wins by KO/TKO)

Bautista – 17-3 (3 wins by KO/TKO)

Last Bouts: 

Sandhagen def by Dvalishvili – Decision (unanimous) – at UFC 320, October 2025

Bautista def Oliveira – Submission (rear-naked choke) – at UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs Oliveira, February 2026

Analysis:

Cory Sandhagen returns looking to cement his place among the bantamweight elite, while Mario Bautista has the chance to score the biggest win of his career and continue his rapid rise through the rankings

Last fighting in October, 2025, Sandhagen is expected to use his footwork and movement to control the distance from the opening bell. One of the best technical strikers, he can pick apart his opponent with ease while mixing in timely takedowns to keep Bautista guessing.

Whereas Bautista builds momentum with his well-rounded game. Combining crisp boxing with effective wrestling, he’ll likely look to close the distance, pressure Sandhagen against the fence and test his takedown defence. The main talking point will be whether or not Bautista can disrupt his opponent’s rhythm over the weekend.

Best Now MATCH RESULT - CORY SANDHAGEN @ $1.72

Brandon Royal vs Lone’er Kavangh

Career Records:

Royal – 17-9 (4 wins by KO/TKO)

Kavanagh – 10-1 (4 wins by KO/TKO)

Last Bouts: 

Royal def by Kape – KO (punches) – at UFC on ESPN: Royval vs Kape, December 2025

Kavanagh def Moreno – Decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh, February 2026

Analysis:

The two fighters will meet in a high-stakes flyweight contest, with the winner set to move a step closer to earning another title opportunity. Kavanagh is a well-rounded fighter who combines crisp boxing with excellent defensive wrestling and has defended 94% of takedown attempts.

However, he will have to face off against Royval, who thrives in chaotic exchanges, using his dangerous submission game and relentless pressure to create several finishing opportunities. Although he’s coming off back-to-back defeats, he has the experience to test Kavanagh in every phase of the fight.

Best Now MATCH RESULT - BRANDON ROYAL @ $2.82

King Green vs Terrance McKinney

Career Records:

Green – 37-17-1 (1)

McKinney – 18-8 (9 wins by KO/TKO)

Last Bouts: 

Green def Stephens – Submission (rear-naked choke) – at UFC 328, May 2026

McKinney def Nelson – TKO (head kick and punches) – at UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs Pyfer, March 2026

Analysis:

Terrance McKinney’s best chance is to end the fight early. The 30-year-old is one of the UFC’s fastest starters, with all eight of his UFC victories coming by first-round finish. A constant threat, whether the fight stays standing or hits the mat, he averages 6.53 strikes and 3.31 takedowns per minute.

On the other hand, Green is one of the division’s most experienced and durable veterans. He lands 6.46 significant strikes per minute while defending 62% of his opponents’ significant strikes and 73% of takedown attempts. If he can survive McKinney’s trademark first-round blitz, he could begin to swing the contest in his favour.

Best Now MATCH RESULT - KING GREEN @ $2.12

Related

UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland – Tips and Preview

UFC Fight Night 267 Tips – Strickland vs Hernandez

UFC Vegas 108 Tips – Taira vs Park