The Complete UFC 329 Main Card Preview

Fight Corner Preview | UFC 329 International Fight Week always delivers some of the biggest moments of the year. UFC 329 is no exception. While Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2 headlines the event, the rest of the main card is stacked with meaningful matchups featuring title contenders, rising prospects, and one of the most anticipated UFC debuts in recent memory. Here's everything you need to know before fight night. --- Main Event Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2 Lightweight Main Event Eleven years after their first meeting, two legends finally meet again. McGregor enters looking to prove that years away from competition haven't diminished his abilities. Holloway enters looking to avenge one of the earliest losses of his career while adding the biggest name possible to an already legendary résumé. Keys to Victory McGregor - Fast start - Precision counters - Body work - Control the center Holloway - Push the pace - Extend the fight - High-volume combinations - Championship cardio Prediction If McGregor finds his timing early, he's dangerous against anyone. If Holloway survives into the later rounds, momentum swings dramatically. Fight Corner Pick: Holloway by Late TKO or Decision --- Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoît Saint Denis Lightweight This may be the fight most likely to steal Fight of the Night. Paddy's creativity and confidence collide with Saint Denis' relentless pressure and toughness. Both men desperately need a statement victory to move closer to lightweight title contention. Keys to Victory Pimblett - Stay unpredictable. - Attack submissions. - Keep the fight moving. Saint Denis - Constant pressure. - Wrestling. - Wear Paddy down over time. Fight Corner Pick Saint Denis by Decision --- Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista Bantamweight This matchup could determine the next title challenger. Sandhagen remains one of the division's most creative strikers. Bautista has quietly developed into one of the UFC's most complete bantamweights. Fight Corner Pick Sandhagen by Decision --- Brandon Royval vs. Lone'er Kavanagh Flyweight Veteran experience meets one of the division's rising prospects. Royval brings chaos. Kavanagh brings momentum. Fight Corner Pick Royval by Submission --- Gable Steveson vs. TBD Heavyweight Debut Perhaps the biggest unknown on the card. Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson finally makes his UFC debut. Everyone knows he possesses world-class wrestling. The biggest question is how quickly the rest of his MMA game develops. If he can combine elite grappling with improving striking, the heavyweight division may have another future contender. Fight Corner Pick Steveson by Ground-and-Pound TKO --- Fight Most Likely to Steal the Show Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoît Saint Denis High pace. Aggression. Finishing ability. This matchup has Fight of the Night written all over it. --- Biggest Upset Alert Mario Bautista Sandhagen deserves to be favored. But Bautista has quietly become one of the division's fastest-rising contenders. Don't overlook him. --- Fighter Under the Most Pressure Conor McGregor No explanation needed. Years away. Main event. Millions watching. One of the biggest expectations in UFC history. --- Dark Horse Performance of the Night Gable Steveson If his transition to MMA goes as many expect, he could make an unforgettable first impression. --- Fight Corner Locks Best Technical Fight - Sandhagen vs. Bautista Best Striking Match - McGregor vs. Holloway Best Grappling Match - Pimblett vs. Saint Denis Most Likely Finish - Steveson's UFC debut Fight of the Night - Pimblett vs. Saint Denis --- Final Thoughts UFC 329 isn't built around one fight. It's built around multiple stories unfolding in a single night. Can McGregor complete one of the biggest comebacks in UFC history? Can Holloway add the final missing piece to his legacy? Will Paddy Pimblett take another step toward title contention? Can Benoît Saint Denis remind everyone why he's considered one of the most dangerous lightweights in the world? How impressive will Gable Steveson's long-awaited UFC debut be? By the end of the night, every one of those questions will have an answer. And UFC 329 may be remembered as one of the defining cards of the year.