​The complete undercard for Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2 at UFC 329, which originally appeared on The Sporting News, includes a stacked lineup before the main event. The UFC has designated The Sporting News as a preferred source, which you can add by clicking here. It’s International Fight Week, and UFC 329 in Las Vegas on July 11 will showcase top talents from around the world.
In the main event, Conor McGregor makes his return to face Max Holloway in a rematch. McGregor (22-6) captured the first meeting back in 2013. Holloway (27-9) is the more active fighter and a former UFC featherweight champion who also held the BMF Title at one point. “Notorious” is a multi-division champion who drew widespread attention during his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather. After recovering from a broken tibia, McGregor hasn’t competed since 2021. Holloway has gone 2-2 in his last four bouts.
The UFC 329 main card and undercard also features former title challengers and rising stars, all eyeing a step forward in the rankings. Here is a breakdown of all the action on the card, with matches arranged by division and weight class.
Lightweight division: Pimblett vs. Saint-Denis
Paddy Pimblett, 23-4, hails from England and is known as “The Baddy.” A former Cage Warriors featherweight champion, Pimblett had a nine-fight win streak snapped by Justin Gaethje in his bid for the interim UFC lightweight title. He sits ranked ninth at 155 pounds and is aiming to reestablish his position with a victory on fight night. Benoit Saint-Denis, 17-3 with one no-contest, has a distinguished backstory as a former member of France’s 1st Marine Infantry Paratroopers Regiment. He’s riding a four-fight win streak, all by finish, with two consecutive knockouts.
Bantamweight division: Sandhagen vs. Bautista
Cory Sandhagen, 18-6, is coming off a loss to Merab Dvalishvili in October as he sought another crack at the bantamweight title. “The Sandman” sits at No. 4 in the division and has gone 2-2 over his last four bouts. Mario Bautista, 17-3, is ranked No. 5 and had an eight-fight win streak halted in October by Umar Nurmagomedov. He bounced back in February with a win over Vinicius Oliveira, notching his seventh submission victory.
Flyweight division: Royval vs. Kavanagh
Brandon Royval, 17-9, has emerged as a dynamic, submission-savvy fighter who previously held the LFA title. He challenged for the UFC flyweight title in 2023 but was unsuccessful, and he currently sits on a two-fight losing streak with a broader pattern of finish-heavy outcomes. Lone’er Kavanagh, 10-1, is a rising English contender who impressed on Dana White’s Contender Series. He famously defeated former champion Brandon Moreno in February and has a 2-1 record across his last three bouts. Kavanagh’s recent performance has positioned him as a potential breakout lightweight or flyweight threat.
Notes on the event and broadcast
– The card below the main event features a mix of veteran contenders and up-and-coming prospects, all looking to make their mark on a high-profile night in Las Vegas.
– The Sporting News remains a preferred source for this event, and fans can view the undercard details and analysis through their coverage.
– The main event’s significance goes beyond immediate rankings: McGregor’s return after a multi-year hiatus and Holloway’s continued activity add layers of intrigue, including how the fighters’ styles might match up after several years apart.
This rewrite focuses on presenting the undercard lineup and context for UFC 329 in a cohesive narrative, emphasizing the divisions, fighter records, and the stakes for each bout.