Conor McGregor is officially back in the Octagon this Saturday for UFC 329, headlining a wild card from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The man has been out of action for five years, ever since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier. But this isn't just a comeback fight, man, it's a welterweight main event against an old foe, Max Holloway, and the stakes could not be higher for both guys.
McGregor's Comeback vs. Holloway's Redemption Arc
Seriously, this main event has everything. McGregor defeated Holloway way back in 2013, but a lot has happened since then. McGregor's last two fights were losses to Poirier, and he has lost three of his four most recent bouts, a stretch that goes all the way back to his 2018 fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov. That's a rough stretch to be coming back from, especially after a serious injury like a broken leg. On the flip side, Holloway is also coming off a tough loss himself. Charles Oliveira took him down repeatedly for a decision win, and it cost Holloway the "BMF" title. So, you've got McGregor needing to prove he's still a top-tier fighter after a long layoff and a series of losses, facing Holloway who just lost his title and needs to get back on track. It's a clash where both guys have something massive to prove.Pimblett's Path to Gold, Plus Other Must-Watch Bouts
The co-main event is just as hype! Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett is back, ready to thrill us with his action style when he takes on rising lightweight contender Benoit Saint Denis. Pimblett just suffered his first UFC loss in January, a brutal brawl that went the distance against new undisputed champion Justin Gaethje. Now, Pimblett needs a strong showing against Saint Denis to get right back into the title conversation. That's a tall task, though, because "BSD" has bounced back from a couple of tough losses himself and he is right there near the top of the division. Elsewhere on the card, we've got bantamweight veterans Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista jockeying for position in that super crowded title picture. Then at flyweight, Brandon Royval is looking to stop the momentum of Lone'er Kavanagh, who just pulled off the biggest win of his career against Brandon Moreno. Plus, former 185-pound champ Robert Whittaker makes his light heavyweight debut against Nikita Krylov, and collegiate wrestling champion Gable Steveson makes his promotional debut at heavyweight against Elisha Ellison. This Saturday night, the action heats up big time. After going 3-4 with our best bets for UFC Freedom 250, we're sitting just below .500 for the year at 15-17. The goal is simple: get back in the black. Every bet has to be at odds, and we're looking to turn it around. Make your picks in the CBS Sports App's UFC Pick'em game before 7 p.m. ET this Saturday for a chance at five grand. Don't miss this one, dude.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.