UFC 329, held on July 11, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, concluded with a surprising and disappointing main event as Max Holloway defeated Conor McGregor via first-round TKO due to McGregor suffering a severe knee injury early in the fight. This rematch, highly anticipated after their initial bout in 2013 where McGregor won despite an ACL tear, ended abruptly with McGregor’s injury, leaving fans wanting more. Nevertheless, the event delivered excitement through multiple bouts showcasing emerging and established fighters across a diverse card, compensating for the anticlimactic main event finish.

Among the standout performances, Paddy Pimblett secured a rapid first-round submission victory using a D’Arce choke against Benoît Saint-Denis, demonstrating his elite grappling skills. Rising star Damian Pinas impressed with a one-punch knockout of César Almeida, marking his sixth consecutive stoppage win and cementing his status as a notable talent. Robert Whittaker made a successful transition to light heavyweight with a dominant third-round TKO over Nikita Krylov, while Brandon Royval secured a submission win in a thrilling contest against Lone’er Kavanagh, a bout widely regarded as a top contender for Fight of the Night.

The preliminaries showcased several early finishes and competitive decisions, highlighting the depth of UFC’s roster. Ryan Gandra extended his winning streak with a first-round KO of Zach Reese, while Farid Basharat earned a unanimous decision over John Garza in a display of diversified striking and relentless wrestling. On the women’s side, Wang Cong utilized superior striking and takedown defense to claim a unanimous decision against Tracy Cortez, despite a point deduction for an illegal knee. Additionally, Luke Riley impressed in his promotional debut with a first-round TKO of Kai Kamaka, exhibiting strong boxing and power.

Other notable results included Adrian Yanez’s first-round TKO of Cody Garbrandt, exposing Garbrandt’s continuing vulnerabilities in striking defense and chin durability, and Gable Steveson’s commanding first-round knockout over Elisha Ellison in his UFC debut. Mario Bautista edged out Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision despite Sandhagen’s injured leg. The event, while marred by McGregor’s injury in the finale, showcased a mix of exciting finishes and prospects rising through UFC’s ranks, setting the stage for future matchups and title implications.