​Some MMA fans thought they’d never hear these words again: it’s Conor McGregor fight week. UFC 329 is this Saturday, and it features the return of the biggest star in the company’s history. McGregor faces off against another future UFC Hall of Famer, Max Holloway. The two previously tangled when they were still rising prospects in the featherweight division. McGregor won that first meeting by unanimous decision and used it as a launching pad toward the 145-pound title. Holloway, in turn, went on a tear after that setback, rattling off 13 straight victories before suffering a loss in his lightweight debut to Dustin Poirier for the interim belt.
The rest of the card promises high-action drama, with Paddy Pimblett returning in the co-main event against Benoit Saint Denis. While there aren’t any title fights on the line, the stakes in the major divisions remain substantial. Here are the predictions for UFC 329.
It’s easy to fall into the hype surrounding McGregor’s return to the cage. Yet he hasn’t fought in five years. Not only has McGregor been away for half a decade, but he’ll be stepping into the octagon against an active, elite Max Holloway who has faced the best in the world and is a world-class striker in his own right.
McGregor’s comeback is exciting for the sport and the UFC will always benefit from his presence. Still, ring rust is real, and Holloway is poised to demonstrate that a five-year layoff can alter a fighter’s effectiveness. Look for Holloway to derail McGregor’s return with a third-round TKO.
Pimblett returns after his interim title shot loss to now undisputed lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, stepping into the cage against the always dangerous Benoit Saint Denis. Saint Denis enters this one riding a four-fight win streak and is looking to push his way into title contention at 155 pounds.
Both Pimblett and Saint Denis bring well-rounded skill sets. The prevailing feeling is that Pimblett should have the edge on the ground, while Saint Denis holds the advantage standing. Saint Denis is the more technical striker, but Pimblett has shown he can absorb punishment and keep coming forward. Pimblett should be able to close distance consistently, potentially turning this into a war on the feet with exchanged blows, or he could weave in a takedown and work from top position.
Prediction: Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision. This is the hardest fight to forecast on the card.
Sandhagen aims to reclaim a path toward title contention after a setback in his bid against former champion Merab Dvalishvili. Bautista brings a well-rounded game, but his striking likely won’t match Sandhagen’s dynamic and creative toolkit on the feet. Both men possess underrated grappling skills that could neutralize each other, making this bout prone to a strategic, cagey affair more than a pure firefight. The contest could hinge on who can implement their game plan more effectively and who can control the tempo and space inside the cage.
This matchup promises a tactical battle with multiple layers, where Sandhagen’s versatility will be tested against Bautista’s consistency and all-around competence. Fans should expect a war of strategy as much as a clash of athleticism.
In the end, UFC 329 is shaping up to be a landmark event, anchored by the return of Conor McGregor against Max Holloway and supplemented by the stakes-filled co-main and undercard matchups. The night should deliver drama, skill, and moments that could reverberate through the division rankings as the sport moves forward.