The future of UFC 329 Las Vegas and Ilia Topuria’s plans

McGregor and the "sh*t fight"

I view the McGregor vs. Max Holloway welterweight rematch at UFC 329 as a massive commercial draw despite Ilia Topuria calling it a "sh*t fight." The July 11 event at T-Mobile Arena brings Conor McGregor back to the Octagon for the first time since 2021. Topuria, the reigning featherweight champion, believes McGregor is on a downward slide, yet he wants the Irishman to win. McGregor defeated Holloway in 2013 in the featherweight division via a unanimous decision of 30-27, 30-27, and 30-26, and Topuria expects this striking-heavy affair to follow a similar pattern. He thinks McGregor should win. A victory would allow Topuria to target a massive stadium fight in Spain later. Topuria expects the two former featherweight standouts to engage in a match that focuses purely on striking without significant wrestling or ground work. He described the likely interaction between the two as two kittens touching hands and feeling each other out in an interview with ESPN Deportes. McGregor holds a 22-6 MMA record, while Holloway maintains a 26-7 MMA record. McGregor enters this bout as the No. 4 ranked lightweight, matching Holloway’s own ranking. McGregor’s return comes after he snapped his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Topuria is 27 years old and currently holds an unbeaten record.

Topuria’s path to Spain

Topuria has mapped out a precise timeline for his upcoming title defenses and boxing interests. He expects to return to the cage in October or November of this year, having previously defeated Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. Volkanovski is considered by many fans to be the greatest fighter in the history of the featherweight weight class, but he has recently suffered two devastating back-to-back knockout losses. His immediate goal involves a September title defense against Holloway, followed by a megafight against McGregor. I would call his ambition to sell out the Santiago Bernabeu stadium with 80,000 people a bold prediction for a fighter looking to headline in Spain. Can Topuria actually pull off a stadium show of that magnitude in his home country?

Topuria currently maintains a 15-0 MMA record and a 7-0 UFC record. The 27-year-old intends to compete in one or two boxing bouts in the future as well. He is also in conversations regarding a clash with Justin Gaethje. McGregor is scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29 in a welterweight contest.

UFC 329 card specifics

The UFC 329 card provides depth. Paddy Pimblett, ranked 6, faces Benoit Saint Denis, ranked 5, in a lightweight co-main event. Robert Whittaker, ranked 10, fights Nikita Krylov, ranked 13, on the prelims. Other matchups include Cory Sandhagen, ranked 4, against Mario Bautista, ranked 8, and Brandon Royval, ranked 4, against Lone’er Kavanagh, ranked 6. You should prepare for action. The card includes Cody Garbrandt against Adrian Yanez, Tracy Cortez, ranked 8, against Wang Cong, ranked 12, and Ode Osbourne against Cody Durden. Damian Pinas fights Cesar Almeida. Luke Riley meets Kai Kamaka III. McGregor faces Holloway at welterweight, which is a 77.5kg division Holloway has never fought in. McGregor’s last fight was against Dustin Poirier, where he snapped his leg. The fight takes place in Las Vegas, a city that has hosted massive gates like the $7.2 million from UFC 189 at the MGM Grand and $2.4 million from UFC 213 at the T-Mobile Arena. Heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson also makes his debut against Elisha Ellison.