McGregor’s return and press conference intensity
Conor McGregor made his return to the public eye at the UFC 329 press conference, ahead of his rematch with Max Holloway. The Irish mixed martial artist, who has been out of action for five years, expressed confidence in his upcoming fight. His demeanor was noted as unusually subdued for much of the event, particularly when discussing his personal evolution and the significance of his comeback.
The familiar, more assertive side of McGregor emerged during the face-off with Holloway at the conclusion of the press conference. He confronted Holloway directly, removing his sunglasses and swatting them to the floor. Holloway did not retreat, leading to an intense moment that heightened anticipation for the already highly awaited fight. This main event marks McGregor’s first fight in five years, headlining a card that includes 14 fights.
The press conference also featured the co-headliners for the event, Benoît Saint Denis and Paddy Pimblett, adding to the build-up for the fight night. The main card is scheduled to begin on Saturday at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT.
Anticipated matchups and betting insights
The rematch between Max Holloway and Conor McGregor is expected to draw significant attention at UFC 329 in Las Vegas. Their initial encounter 13 years ago, at the beginning of their UFC careers, saw McGregor secure a unanimous decision victory. Now, McGregor (22-6, fighting out of Dublin, Ireland) aims to re-establish himself against Holloway (27-9, fighting out of Waianae, HI), a former BMF and featherweight champion who seeks to avenge his 2013 loss.
The fight is characterized by both fighters’ strong striking abilities. Both McGregor and Holloway demonstrate excellent distance striking accuracy and tend to engage in high-output standing exchanges with minimal takedowns. A key difference lies in McGregor’s range and power, particularly early in fights. However, questions regarding his stamina and experience in later rounds, coupled with his long layoff, contrast with Holloway’s reputation for accumulating damage and wearing down opponents in the later stages of a fight.
Beyond the main event, the card features several other notable matchups. The lightweight co-main event pits No. 5 ranked Benoît Saint Denis (17-3, 1 NC, fighting out of Paris, France) against No. 6 ranked Paddy Pimblett (23-5, fighting out of Liverpool, England). Saint Denis looks to solidify his position, while Pimblett is coming off a decision loss in January.
In the bantamweight division, No. 4 ranked Cory Sandhagen (18-6, fighting out of Aurora, CO) returns to challenge No. 7 ranked Mario Bautista (17-3, fighting out of Phoenix, AZ). Bautista has won nine of his last ten fights. This bout is seen as a potential decider for future title shot contention within the division, with both fighters possessing elite metrics.
Another bantamweight bout features Adrian Yanez (-410) against Cody Garbrandt (+320). Both fighters are known for their striking power, with a combined 28 knockdowns (18 scored, 10 received). However, Garbrandt’s defensive vulnerabilities are noted as a significant factor in this matchup. The flyweight division will see No. 4 ranked Brandon Royval (17-9, fighting out of Denver, CO) face No. 6 ranked Lone’er Kavanagh (10-1, fighting out of London, England), bringing together two dynamic strikers.
The main card will commence with a lightweight bout between King Green (35-17-1, 1 NC, fighting out of Fontana, CA) and Terrance McKinney (18-8, fighting out of Spokane, WA). Green is seeking his fourth consecutive victory, while McKinney has finished 17 of his 18 wins in the first round. The event is scheduled to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 11, 2026.
Source: bleacherreport.com