​That ending wasn’t what anyone expected. The most anticipated main event in recent UFC history concluded almost as soon as it began when Conor McGregor appeared to suffer a serious knee injury, forcing referee Mike Beltran to bring UFC 329’s main event to a halt. Max Holloway was awarded the official win by TKO, but the moment carried a hollow, unsatisfying feel. Let’s talk MMA.
In the opening seconds of the first round, McGregor launched a jumping kick and seemed to land awkwardly on his right leg. He dropped to the canvas in clear pain, grimacing, then tried to rise, only to stumble again on that unstable limb. After Holloway signaled to the referee for a pause to have the medical staff look at McGregor, the official deemed him unfit to continue and the bout ended abruptly. The stoppage was anticlimactic at best, leaving many MMA fans with a sour taste in their mouths.
Paddy Pimblett didn’t keep fans waiting long for a continuation of the night’s entertainment. In just 52 seconds, he delivered one of the slickest submissions of the year, securing a D’Arce choke with clinical precision. It was a striking showcase of technique that left the crowd buzzing and cemented Pimblett’s status as a top contender in line for a title shot.
The night also delivered a spectacular performance from Brandon Royval, who faced Lone’er Kavanagh in what was widely regarded as the Fight of the Night. The flyweights went to war, delivering non-stop action and proving their division’s depth and quality. Pimblett’s swift submission win positioned him as a strong candidate for one of the performance bonuses, while the other bonus could realistically have gone to any number of contenders. Royval, considering the difficulty of his opponent and the dramatic sequence he endured, might have deserved a double bonus, but the night’s honors ultimately reflected a balanced mix of grit, skill, and explosive moments. King Green’s comeback victory over Terrance McKinney earned him the nod for his own standout performance, adding to a card that delivered in multiple dimensions.
Here are the results from Saturday’s event, along with highlights of the finishes:
– Max Holloway defeated Conor McGregor via first-round TKO
– Paddy Pimblett defeated Benoît Saint-Denis via first-round submission (D’Arce choke)
– Mario Bautista defeated Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
– Brandon Royval defeated Lone’er Kavanagh via third-round submission (rear-naked choke)
– Royval and Kavanagh deserved Fight of the Night for their back-and-forth battle that featured a Royval knockdown in the second round and a decisive submission in the third
– Bobby “King” Green defeated Terrance McKinney via first-round TKO in a dramatic comeback
– Robert Whittaker defeated Nikita Krylov via third-round TKO in a show of strength as Whittaker moved up to light heavyweight and connected with a vicious right hand that forced Krylov to wave off the fight
What stood out on the night was the mix of high-level striking, tight submissions, and surprising resilience. Holloway’s stoppage over McGregor was a flashpoint—dramatic but unsatisfying in its abruptness—while Pimblett’s signature finish reinforced why many see him as a future title challenger. Royval and Kavanagh’s back-and-forth action captured the essence of Flyweight competition, and Green’s late-round surge against McKinney demonstrated the heart that defines comebacks. As always, the sport delivered moments that will be discussed for months, even if the main event didn’t unfold as fans had hoped.