Get ready, fight fans, because Conor McGregor is finally making his comeback at UFC 329 this weekend in Las Vegas, jumping back into the Octagon against Max Holloway in a massive rematch! This isn't just another card, it's International Fight Week, so you know the talent running deep.
The Notorious One Returns: Can He Shake Off the Rust?
This main event is absolutely HUGE. Conor McGregor, our man with the 22-6 record, beat Holloway way back in 2013, but let's be real, a lot has changed since then. The "Notorious" one, a multi-division champ who even boxed Floyd Mayweather for mainstream attention, hasn't actually fought since 2021. He's been sidelined recovering from a broken tibia, which is a gnarly injury, no doubt. Can he really come back at peak form after all that time? Meanwhile, Max Holloway, rocking a 27-9 record, has been WAY more active. The hard-hitting Hawaiian isn't just a former UFC featherweight champion; he even held the BMF Title! While he's been in there, he's also 2-2 in his last four fights, so he's not exactly on a tear, but at least he's been consistently competing. This fight is all about who's got the current edge: McGregor's legendary status and return, or Holloway's consistent grind. It’s gonna be wild!Undercard Action: Rising Stars and Former Contenders Clash
The rest of this card is absolutely stacked! The co-feature is Paddy Pimblett (23-4) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (17-3, 1 NC) in a lightweight slugfest. "The Baddy" Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors featherweight champ, had his nine-fight win streak snapped against Justin Gaethje for the interim title, and he's ranked ninth at lightweight. Saint-Denis, an absolute beast who was in France's 1st Marine Infantry Paratroopers, is on a four-fight win streak, with all of them ending in finishes, including two straight knockouts! That's gotta tell you something about his power. Then we've got a bantamweight battle with Cory Sandhagen (18-6) taking on Mario Bautista (17-3). Sandhagen is 2-2 in his last four, coming off a loss for the UFC bantamweight title in October, but he's ranked fourth. Bautista, ranked fifth, saw his eight-fight win streak snapped in October but bounced back big in February with his seventh submission victory. This one is gonna be a chess match with serious ranking implications. Don't sleep on Brandon Royval (17-9) versus Lone'er Kavanagh (10-1) at flyweight either! Royval, a former LFA champ, failed to capture the UFC flyweight title in 2023, and he's actually on a two-fight losing streak right now, though he has nine submission wins under his belt. Kavanagh, who impressed on Dana White's Contender Series, stunned everyone by beating former champion Brandon Moreno back in February! He's 2-1 in his last three, and you know he's looking to keep that momentum going. Plus, King Green (35-17-1, 1 NC) and Terrance McKinney (18-8) are throwing down at lightweight. Green, a pro since 2008, is on a three-fight win streak and wants four straight for the first time since 2012. McKinney holds the fastest finish in lightweight history! You know these guys are bringing the heat. UFC 329 is going down July 11th in Vegas, and with so many former champs, rising stars, and huge comebacks, you just KNOW it’s gonna be an insane night of fights. Get ready to scream at your screen, Emerald City!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.