Who Is Fighting on UFC 329, International Fight Week?
International Fight Week is just over two months out, and following the White House card in June, UFC 329 is shaping up as the next major event on the UFC calendar. The numbered card is set for July 11th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the full week of events running from July 9th through 12th. The main event is still up in the air, but a handful of bouts have already been locked in, and one major rumor continues to dominate the conversation.
McGregor's Return on the Table
The biggest storyline surrounding UFC 329 is the return of Conor McGregor. After missing out on a desired spot at the UFC's White House card on June 14th, Dana White has confirmed McGregor's comeback is being targeted for International Fight Week. Ariel Helwani has reported that Max Holloway is the frontrunner to face him, though nothing has been signed. McGregor has not fought since his first round doctor stoppage loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, making any return one of the most anticipated fights of the year. The Irishman is adamant he'll make his return on this event, so all parties seem to be in agreement.
Pimblett vs. Saint-Denis Looks Set
A top-10 Lightweight clash between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint-Denis is all but official. Pimblett confirmed his return for International Fight Week, and Saint-Denis has all but outed himself as the opponent through cryptic social media posts hinting at facing an Englishman. The Scouser is coming off the first loss of his UFC career, dropping a five-round decision to Justin Gaethje in their interim title fight at UFC 324. Saint-Denis (15-3) is the higher-ranked man at #5, riding a four-fight win streak with wins over Beneil Dariush, Mauricio Ruffy, and most recently Dan Hooker at UFC 325. It's arguably a tougher fight for Pimblett than Gaethje was, but he needs to bounce back into title contention. For BSD, it's the biggest oppotunity in his career since he faced Dustin Poirier in the co-main event of UFC 299, and one that could propel him into title contention.
Sandhagen vs. Bautista 2
Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista will run it back more than six years after their first meeting. Sandhagen submitted Bautista in the first round at UFC Brooklyn back in January 2019, when Bautista was making his promotional debut on short notice. Since then, Bautista (17-3) has gone 11-2 in the UFC and is coming off a second round submission of Vinicius Oliveira in February. Sandhagen (18-6), meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from a lopsided decision loss to then-champion Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 320. With both men firmly in the top 10 at 135, the winner sets themselves up for a real run at the title.
Edwards Looking to Stop the Skid
Former Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards (22-6, 1 NC) is reportedly set to face Daniel Rodriguez at the event, per Rodriguez himself9. Edwards has dropped three in a row, losing his title to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304, getting submitted by Sean Brady in his return to London, and most recently being knocked out in the second round by Carlos Prates at UFC 322. Rocky needs a win badly to stay relevant in the division, and Rodriguez offers a stylistic test that should give him the oppotunity to bounce back on a big stage, though you can never count out D-Rod.
Steveson Makes His Octagon Debut
Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson is officially signed and will make his UFC debut at UFC 329. The 2020 freestyle wrestling gold medalist still doesn't have an opponent confirmed, but his arrival has been one of the most anticipated debuts of the year. Elsewhere on the card, former kickboxer César Almeida and undefeated Aruban prospect Damian Pinas have been booked at Middleweight in the first announced bout for the event.
What do you want to see on the UFC 329 card? And who do you think should headline this year's International Fight Week? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know with a comment down below.
