UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2 is set to feature a main card lineup from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event is scheduled for July 11, 2026, and will include the highly anticipated rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway. The return of Conor McGregor is leading UFC 329 to becoming the most expensive mixed martial arts event on the secondary market in history.
The main event will see Conor McGregor (22-6, fighting out of Dublin, Ireland) return to the Octagon. He will face Max Holloway (27-9, fighting out of Waianae, HI), who holds the former BMF and featherweight champion titles. Their first encounter took place 13 years ago, with McGregor securing a unanimous decision victory. Holloway aims to avenge that 2013 loss.
Ticket prices for UFC 329 have reached record levels on the secondary market. The average ticket price on TickPick is reported to be $1,537. This figure surpasses the previous record holder, UFC 306 Riyadh Season Noche, which had an average purchase price of $1,250. As of Thursday afternoon, the cheapest ticket available on TickPick was $989, with 2,150 tickets listed for sale.
The most expensive purchase recorded for the event so far involved two tickets in Section 6, Row E, sold for $8,170 each, totaling $16,341.
Co-Main Event and Featured Bouts
The co-main event will feature a lightweight bout between Benoît Saint Denis and Paddy Pimblett. Saint Denis (17-3, 1 NC, fighting out of Paris, France), ranked No. 5 in the lightweight division, seeks to solidify his position as a top contender. He will face Paddy Pimblett (23-5, fighting out of Liverpool, England), who is ranked No. 6 and is coming off a decision loss to Justin Gaethje in January.
A bantamweight bout is also scheduled, pitting No. 4 ranked contender Cory Sandhagen (18-6, fighting out of Aurora, CO) against No. 7 ranked Mario Bautista (17-3, fighting out of Phoenix, AZ). Sandhagen is returning to action for the first time since his title fight against Merab Dvalishvili, while Bautista has secured nine victories in his last ten fights.
The main card will also feature a flyweight bout between Brandon Royval and Lone’er Kavanagh. Royval (17-9, fighting out of Denver, CO), a former title challenger and No. 4 ranked contender, will face No. 6 ranked Kavanagh (10-1, fighting out of London, England). Both fighters are known for their dynamic striking abilities.
Opening the main card is a lightweight bout featuring King Green (35-17-1, 1 NC, fighting out of Fontana, CA) against Terrance McKinney (18-8, fighting out of Spokane, WA). Green is aiming for his fourth consecutive victory, while McKinney has finished 17 of his 18 wins in the first round.
Public Perception of Conor McGregor
The return of Conor McGregor to the Octagon has generated discussion regarding his public image, particularly in Ireland. While he was once an overwhelmingly positive figure in his home country, his public perception has evolved over time. His success in a niche sport during a national recession initially brought him widespread acclaim, leading to him being voted the 2016 RTE Sports Personality of the Year.
However, a shift in public sentiment began around the time of his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017. Subsequent incidents, including a homophobic slur used after a teammate’s loss and various legal issues, contributed to a change in how he was viewed by some segments of the Irish public. Reports indicate that a civil court finding of liability in a sexual assault case in November 2024 further impacted his public standing in Ireland, leading to calls for a criminal case reopening and boycotts of McGregor-related products by some retailers.
Despite these developments, there remains a segment of fans in Ireland who continue to support McGregor, even if their enthusiasm is expressed more privately than in previous years. The event is expected to draw significant attention globally, with billboards in Las Vegas promoting the fighter’s return.
The main card of UFC 329 is scheduled to kick off on Saturday at 9pm ET/6pm PT, available live on Paramount+ in the United States.
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Source: ufc.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.