McGregor’s return to the Octagon
Conor McGregor is set to make his return to the UFC tonight, headlining UFC 329 in Las Vegas against Max Holloway. This marks McGregor’s first fight since July 2021. The former two-division UFC champion is returning after an 18-month suspension for three violations of the UFC’s anti-doping policy, announced in October 2025. This suspension was backdated and concluded in March 2026. McGregor has maintained his innocence regarding a civil jury’s finding that he should pay a woman who accused him of rape at a Dublin hotel, for which he was not criminally charged.
The main event will see McGregor, who previously defeated Holloway in 2013 as featherweights, step into the octagon as a welterweight. McGregor, a former featherweight and lightweight champion, has secured only one win in his last four fights and just two victories over the past decade. Holloway, also a former featherweight title holder, will be making his debut in the welterweight division as he seeks to avoid a second loss to the Irishman.
The anticipation for McGregor’s return is palpable, with many in the MMA community offering predictions. Tom Aspinall, the UFC heavyweight champion, believes McGregor’s power could lead to a first-round knockout. However, other notable figures like Michael Bisping, the first British UFC champion, and retired UFC champion Demetrious Johnson, are favouring Holloway, citing McGregor’s five-year absence from the sport and Holloway’s consistent activity.
Undercard action and other notable bouts
Before the main event, the UFC 329 card features several other compelling matchups. One such fight saw Adrian Yanez secure a TKO victory over Cody Garbrandt. Yanez delivered a precise performance, culminating in a four-punch combination that ended the fight in the first round. This result marks a significant setback for Garbrandt, who started his career with an 11-0 record and won the bantamweight title in 2016, but has since posted a 4-8 record, suffering his fifth finish.
The fight between Garbrandt and Yanez was anticipated as both fighters aimed to re-establish themselves in the bantamweight division. Garbrandt had won three of his last five fights, recovering from a previous streak of five losses in six bouts. Yanez, who made his UFC debut in 2020 and won his first five fights, has since recorded one win and one draw in his last five outings. Sportsbooks had Yanez as a slight favourite, reflecting questions about the 35-year-old Garbrandt’s remaining career longevity.
Another impressive performance came from Luke Riley, who improved his professional record to 14-0 with a TKO victory over Kai Kamaka III. Riley dropped Kamaka with a right hand, leading to the referee stopping the fight. Riley’s win was met with loud cheers, particularly as he led a chant for his teammate, Paddy Pimblett, who is scheduled to fight in the co-main event later tonight. Kamaka expressed disbelief at the stoppage, feeling the fight should have continued despite taking a barrage of strikes.
The atmosphere at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas saw fans gradually filling in, despite the 108 degrees Fahrenheit heat outside. Many attendees were expected to arrive closer to the main card start time, which is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. Among those present was Michael Chandler, who had previously faced McGregor in “The Ultimate Fighter” and was slated to fight him in 2024. Chandler, who waited over two years for the lucrative bout that ultimately fell through, is attending UFC 329 and has offered his prediction for the main event.
Expert predictions for the main event
The MMA community is divided on the outcome of the McGregor vs. Holloway rematch. While Aspinall predicts a McGregor victory, other fighters like Paddy Pimblett and Terrance McKinney offer a 50/50 split, suggesting McGregor could win early, but Holloway would dominate if the fight extends beyond the second round. Pimblett noted that Holloway has been dropped in three of his last four fights, and at welterweight, McGregor’s power could be significant.
Conversely, many experts are leaning towards Holloway. Bisping believes Holloway will survive the early onslaught from McGregor and eventually wear him down. Paul Felder, a retired UFC lightweight, also predicts a late stoppage for Holloway, possibly in round four, citing McGregor’s potential to fade after the initial 10 minutes. Benoit Saint-Denis, Robert Whittaker, Cory Sandhagen, and Mario Bautista all echoed the sentiment that the longer the fight lasts, the more it will favour Holloway, highlighting his battle-tested experience and conditioning.
Despite the varying predictions, the fight is expected to be a significant event, drawing considerable attention to the welterweight division. The main card is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET.
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Source: nytimes.com
