UFC 329 takes place on July 11, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 2 headlining the card.
The main card also features Paddy Pimblett vs Benoit Saint-Denis in a key lightweight co-main event, Cory Sandhagen vs Mario Bautista at bantamweight, Brandon Royval vs Lone’er Kavanagh at flyweight, and King Green vs Terrance McKinney at lightweight.
Here are our predictions for every UFC 329 main card fight.
Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway
McGregor defeated Holloway by unanimous decision in their first meeting in 2013, but this rematch looks completely different.
‘The Notorious’ is returning after a long layoff and moving into a five-round welterweight main event against one of the most durable volume strikers in UFC history. His best chance is early. If his timing is still sharp, the left hand and counter entries can punish Holloway before the Hawaiian builds rhythm.
Holloway’s path is clearer over distance. He has the pace, chin, cardio, and output to test McGregor after the first round. If he survives the early danger and forces McGregor into extended exchanges, the fight should start moving heavily in his direction.
McGregor can still hurt him early, but Holloway is the safer pick because of activity, durability, and five-round reliability.
Our prediction: Max Holloway via TKO, Round 4
Paddy Pimblett vs Benoit Saint-Denis
Pimblett enters the UFC 329 co-headliner needing a response after his loss to Justin Gaethje. He remains dangerous in scrambles, has strong submission instincts, and carries enough size to make exchanges awkward.
The problem is Saint-Denis’ pressure. The Frenchman is physically strong, aggressive, and difficult to keep off once he starts forcing clinches, threatening takedowns, and engaging in pocket exchanges. He lands at a high pace and averages over four takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a difficult matchup for a fighter who cannot afford long periods on the back foot.
Pimblett’s best route is to make ‘God of War’ overextend, reverse position, and attack submissions in transition. But if Saint-Denis keeps the fight ugly, his pressure and top control should decide enough rounds.
Our prediction: Benoit Saint-Denis via unanimous decision
Cory Sandhagen vs Mario Bautista
Sandhagen already holds a win over Bautista, but the rematch comes at a very different point in both careers.
Sandhagen remains the more layered striker. His movement, switching, knees, body work, and shot selection make him hard to read across three rounds. Bautista has improved since their first fight and brings better wrestling, clinch work, and pressure than he did earlier in his UFC run.
The key is whether Bautista can stop Sandhagen from fighting at range. If he can chain takedown attempts and force long clinch stretches, he can make this close. But if Sandhagen keeps space, his variety and experience against elite bantamweights should be enough.
Our prediction: Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision
Brandon Royval vs Lone’er Kavanagh
Royval is the proven name, but this is a dangerous matchup.
‘Raw Dawg’ fights with chaos, pace, and submission threat. He is difficult to prepare for because he is comfortable creating scrambles and attacking from awkward positions. That style also leaves openings. He can be hit clean, and his willingness to force exchanges can cost him against sharper, more composed strikers.
Kavanagh enters with speed, confidence, and clean finishing instincts. The question is whether he is ready for Royval’s experience and unpredictability at this level. Royval has been in deeper waters and has fought better opposition, but Kavanagh’s speed and shot selection make him live throughout.
This is the closest fight on the main card. Royval’s experience matters, but Kavanagh looks capable of landing the cleaner damage.
Our prediction: Lone’er Kavanagh via split decision
King Green vs Terrance McKinney
This fight should be violent early.
McKinney is one of the fastest starters in the lightweight division. He attacks quickly, throws with power, and can threaten submissions if the fight hits the mat. The danger is that his style often burns energy early, especially when opponents survive the opening storm.
Green is the more experienced and composed fighter. His boxing defence, counters, and ability to read opponents mid-fight give him a clear path if he gets through the first few minutes. He cannot afford a slow start, because McKinney’s first-round threat is real.
If Green survives the early explosion, his timing and durability should begin to take over. McKinney will have moments, but Green’s experience gives him the edge late.
Our prediction: King Green via TKO, Round 3
UFC 329 Main Card Predicted Winners
Max Holloway def. Conor McGregor
Benoit Saint-Denis def. Paddy Pimblett
Cory Sandhagen def. Mario Bautista
Lone’er Kavanagh def. Brandon Royval
King Green def. Terrance McKinney
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