​Conor McGregor’s comeback turned out to be one of the most talked-about deceptions in UFC history. In the main event of UFC 329 in Las Vegas, the former two-division champion hurt himself in just over a minute, slipping on the canvas and crashing down. Max Holloway promptly alerted the referee, Mike Beltran, to the moment, though Beltran initially wanted to proceed until he noticed McGregor stumble and fall again. The two had previously met in 2013 early in their UFC careers, a bout McGregor won by unanimous decision after three rounds. It marked McGregor’s return to the Octagon for the first time since 2021, and while Holloway may not have wanted the victory to come this way, he did secure the win he was seeking in their rematch. Holloway afterward indicated that a third fight with McGregor would be something he would welcome, leaving open the question of whether McGregor would come back after another injury.
Meanwhile, Paddy Pimblett has rebounded from a recent defeat by securing an interim title shot against the then-champion Justin Gaethje. In a swift showcase, the English lightweight cruised past Benoît Saint Denis in just 52 seconds. Saint Denis came out with intensity but overextended during a takedown attempt, exposing his neck. Pimblett promptly locked in a D’Arce choke, squeezing with relentless pressure as Saint Denis fought to hold on, eventually succumbing unconscious. It was a dominant statement win, underscoring Pimblett’s ongoing ascent.
In the flyweight division, former title challenger Brandon Royval delivered a stunning performance in Las Vegas to snap his two-fight losing skid. Ranked No. 4, Royval faced Lone’er Kavanagh and secured victory in the third round with a rear-naked choke. Royval initiated the action aggressively in the opening round, and while Kavanagh landed a sharp combination in the second round that briefly sent Royval backward, the fight remained competitive heading into the final frame. Royval’s perseverance paid off as he took Kavanagh’s back and eventually locked in the rear-naked choke, forcing a tap. The performance stood out as one of the best battles of 2026.
In a different highlight, Adrian Yañez bounced back from a controversial and disappointing draw with Ricky Simón to claim the biggest win of his career to date. He faced former champion Cody Garbrandt in a bantamweight showdown. Garbrandt started with aggressive pressure and landed several solid combinations, but Yañez remained patient, finding his opportunities to land clean punches. A precise shot staggered Garbrandt, and Yañez seized the moment to drop him with an authoritative strike. Referee Herb Dean intervened to stop the fight, preventing further punishment and convincing many fans that Yañez’s win would stand as a landmark moment in his career.
In the main card, several key results stood out: Max Holloway defeated Conor McGregor by TKO due to injury at 1:09 of the first round, marking a controversial and high-profile finish. Paddy Pimblett defeated Benoît Saint Denis via submission (D’Arce choke) in just 52 seconds of the first round, further establishing Pimblett’s dominance. These actions collectively helped shape a card filled with dramatic outcomes, memorable submissions, and career-defining moments for several fighters. The night featured a mix of strategic grappling, crisp striking, and finish-focused violence that left MMA fans buzzing about the implications for future matchups and title pictures.