The highly anticipated main event of UFC 329, featuring a rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway, concluded abruptly due to a knee injury sustained by McGregor early in the first round. The event, held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, saw Holloway declared the winner by TKO at 1:09 of Round 1.
The injury occurred almost immediately after the fight began, when Conor McGregor attempted a jumping kick. Upon landing, his knee appeared to give way, prompting a reaction from the fighter. Despite attempting to continue, McGregor stumbled twice, leading Max Holloway to alert referee Mike Beltran to the issue. The fight was ultimately stopped after Holloway landed a kick and McGregor took an unsteady step back, confirming his compromised state.
This outcome was described as an anticlimactic end to UFC 329, particularly given the significant build-up to McGregor’s return to the Octagon after five years. His last fight, at UFC 264, also ended with a leg injury against Dustin Poirier. The rematch with Holloway was 13 years in the making, following McGregor’s previous unanimous decision victory over Holloway in August 2013.
The event had generated considerable excitement, breaking the gate record with $26.43 million in ticket sales. Fans had travelled from various locations to witness McGregor’s return, making the swift and unexpected conclusion a source of disappointment. UFC President Dana White indicated that doctors suspect McGregor suffered a torn ACL, though an MRI is needed for confirmation. The extent of the injury and its implications for McGregor’s future in the sport remain uncertain, especially considering his age.
Co-Main Event and Standout Performances
Despite the main event’s abrupt finish, the overall UFC 329 card featured several compelling bouts and strong performances. The co-main event saw Paddy Pimblett defeat Benoît Saint Denis by technical submission via a D’arce choke at 0:52 of Round 1. Pimblett’s quick victory was highlighted as one of the most impactful submissions seen in the Octagon, with Saint Denis rendered unconscious. This performance is considered by some to be the best of Pimblett’s career, positioning him as a top contender in his division and potentially setting him up for a rematch against lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, whom he fought earlier in the year at UFC 324.
Another notable fight was between Brandon Royval and Lone’er Kavanagh, which was described as the most chaotic and entertaining bout of the night. Royval secured a submission victory via rear-naked choke at 3:39 of Round 3. This marked Royval’s sixth Fight of the Night bonus in the UFC, solidifying his reputation as an exciting fighter and cementing his status as a flyweight contender.
In a rematch, Mario Bautista earned a unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen with scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 29-28. This win provided Bautista with a measure of revenge for a previous loss to Sandhagen and is considered the biggest victory of his career. Sandhagen sustained a noticeable limp after a Suloev stretch attack in the first round, though he continued to fight through the second. Bautista increased his pressure in the third round, dropping Sandhagen and ultimately securing the round and the decision.
Other Key Bouts
The preliminary card also delivered significant action, with seven of the night’s bouts concluding inside the distance. The main card continued this trend, featuring two additional first-round finishes and several action-packed battles leading up to the main event. These earlier fights contributed to the card being considered among the best UFC events of 2026, with 10 stoppages across the first 13 fights.
In other results, Robert Whittaker made a successful debut in the light heavyweight division, defeating Nikita Krylov via third-round TKO. Additionally, heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson, an Olympic Gold Medalist in freestyle wrestling, made a successful UFC debut by finishing Elisha Ellison. Steveson, who has also been involved with the Buffalo Bills‘ practice squad in the NFL and competed in WWE, trains with UFC legend Jon Jones and is seen as having significant potential in the heavyweight division.
The overall sentiment regarding UFC 329 was that it was an incredible card with many positive aspects, but the conclusion of the main event left a lingering sense of disappointment due to McGregor’s injury.
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Source: ufc.com
Chloe Tremblay is the Sports Reporter at CasinoNews, covering basketball, tennis and athletics with nine years of reporting experience. She reported on the Raptors' rise and two Olympic cycles. She holds a degree in Journalism from Concordia University. Based in Montreal, she plays recreational basketball and follows track athletics. “The best stories come from the athletes everyone overlooks.”
