UFC 329: McGregor VS Holloway 2 Has All the Makings of an Instant Classic
On July 11 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, the best MMA promotion known as the Ultimate Fighting Championship is once again bringing the fans an iconic numbered event. UFC 329 has Conor McGregor fighting Max Holloway, two former champions in the later stages of their careers. Their first match? Ages ago, in 2013, the Irishman beat the American by unanimous decision. Back then, nobody knew them. It was a Featherweight division preliminary card bout in UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen (Fight Night 26) at TD Garden in Boston.
This time around, nothing is the same. Not only that, but the circumstances could not be more different. Since then, McGregor held Featherweight and Lightweight Champion belts at the same time, while Holloway was Featherweight Champion. Their records are 22-6 and 27-9, respectively. One southpaw, the other orthodox. One has not fought in 5 years, the other one has never been in this division.
This is exactly the type of drama that Dana White is known for cooking, which is why it is such a big deal. With Stake UFC 329 betting predictions favoring Holloway to get the finish late, a read that lines up with where the line has been drifting all week, anything can happen when two champions of this caliber meet in the Octagon. Join us as we go deeper into the event and analyze every bout’s odds.
The Latest UFC 329 Betting Odds
To place strategic bets and win them, fans must know the updated odds for each of the 14 matchups. Stake’s UFC 329 sportsbook has live lines on the main card and every prelim bout, including round and method of victory props. It kicks off with five fights on the Early Preliminary card, a portion of the event that usually brings at least one or two bouts that end up being some of the most interesting of the night. Never underestimate the early prelims!
They begin with a Flyweight matchup between Alessandro Costa and Cody Durden. Brazil’s Costa enters as the favorite at 1.42 odds, while the American sits at 3.00. The second Brazil vs. USA contest is much closer, with Ryan Gandra favored at 1.83 over Zach Reese at 2.03 in their Middleweight bout. In the Bantamweight division, Afghanistan’s Farid Basharat is one of the biggest favorites of the night at 1.15 odds against American John Garza, who comes in at 6.00.
Another Middleweight contest sees Aruba’s Damian Pinas favored at 1.42 over Brazil’s Cesar Almeida at 3.00. The Early Prelims conclude with the only women’s fight of the entire event, as newly announced UFC Stake Ambassador Tracy Cortez takes on China’s Wan Cong in a Flyweight bout. Cortez is a slight favorite at 1.90, with Wan close behind at 1.95, making it the most balanced fight of the event and one that could easily go either way.
The Preliminary card opens with a Featherweight clash between England’s Luke Riley and USA’s Kai Kamaka III. Riley is the bookmakers’ favorite at 1.37, while Kamaka is listed at 3.20. Next comes the first of several all American matchups, with Adrian Yanez heavily favored at 1.22 against Cody Garbrandt at 4.50 in the Bantamweight division.
The biggest odds gap of the night belongs to the Heavyweight meeting between Gable Steveson and Elisha Ellison. Steveson is an overwhelming favorite at 1.03, while Ellison is a massive 14.00 underdog. The Preliminary card wraps up with a Light Heavyweight bout between Ukraine’s Nikita Krylov at 2.12 and Australia’s Robert Whittaker, who is favored at 1.76.
The Main Card begins with an American Lightweight showdown between Bobby Green and Terrance McKinney. Green is priced at 2.15 despite holding a 35-17-1 career record and going 3-2 in his last five fights. McKinney is the favorite at 1.74, owning an 18-8-0 record and an identical 3-2 mark over his previous five bouts.
Next, American Brandon Royval, the No. 4 ranked Flyweight, faces Great Britain’s No. 6 ranked Lone’er Kavanagh. Royval holds a 17-9-0 career record but has gone 2-3 recently, while Kavanagh is 10-1-0 and 3-1 in his last four. Those results make the Brit the favorite at 1.45, with Royval at 2.85.
Another all USA contest follows in the Bantamweight division, where No. 4 ranked Cory Sandhagen meets No. 7 ranked Mario Bautista. Sandhagen is favored at 1.71, carrying an 18-6-0 career record and a 3-2 run over his last five fights. Bautista is 17-3-0 with an impressive 4-1 record in his previous five, making his 2.15 odds an intriguing value. While Sandhagen has the paper edge, this matchup looks far more competitive than the odds suggest.
The co-main event features a Lightweight showdown between France’s No. 5-ranked Benoit Saint Denis and Britain’s No. 6 ranked Paddy Pimblett. Saint Denis owns a 17-3-0 career record, while Pimblett stands at 23-4-0. Both fighters have gone 4-1 in their last five appearances, but Saint Denis enters as the favorite at 1.74 compared to Pimblett’s 2.15. As with the previous fight, the odds only tell part of the story, and either man is capable of leaving with the victory.
Finally, the main event of the night, and the titular fight of UFC 329. The odds have changed a lot as we got to the fight week. They opened around +420 for McGregor and -550 for Holloway, moved to about +240 / -298, and are now anywhere between +170 to +185 and -205 to −230, respectively. Stake sees Holloway as the favorite as he has been consistent, is younger, and in form. He gets 1.44 odds over McGregor at 2.90, the reason for it being his 5-year absence following a serious leg injury in his previous fight in 2021.
Max Holloway Exclusive UFC 329 Interview with Stake
In Max Holloway’s exclusive pre-fight interview with online crypto sportsbook and casino Stake, there was a lot of talk about the upcoming McGregor bout. Answering an interesting question about whether it could be the last time Conor fights if he wins, Max said this:
“I hope not. You know, when Conor McGregor is with the sport, and especially in a good light, it’s great for the sport, you know? So, if I go out there, get my hand raised, we see what happens, you know? I hope not. I mean, if we go out there and I get a finish, I would technically be 1 and 0 over him, because in his book, he said he only counts finishes on his records and not decisions, so I would actually have 1 and 0 over him. That’d probably eat him alive, so we’d probably have to have a rematch, which would-which would be great.“
We could not agree more. They then talked about going down to 170 pounds for the Welterweight division, and if it was a problem for him:
“Whenever I had to cut weight for any of my weight classes, 45, 55, it was always like, we had to think of performance, but we also had to kind of take away from it because we had to lose weight. So, right here at 170, it’s just all about performance, bro. It’s about eating the right things, eating good stuff, not skipping meals, you know, not watching calories, not watching carbs. But then again, you’re not going overboard and being a-being a jackass where we have to cut the weight. So, at the end of the day, I think so, it’s cool, you know? It’s cool just eating for performance, and you know, I can’t wait to show the outcome come Saturday night.”
Conor McGregor Trivia and Facts
- He grew up in a working class Dublin neighborhood
Conor McGregor was born on July 14, 1988, and raised in Crumlin, a suburb of Dublin known for its strong sense of community. His upbringing there has remained an important part of his identity. - He met his longtime partner before he became famous
Conor has been in a long term relationship with Dee Devlin since 2008. They met in a nightclub in Dublin, years before his rise to international fame, and she has often been credited as one of his biggest supporters. - A father of four
Conor and Dee have four children: Conor Jack Jr., Croia, Rian, and Mack. He frequently shares family moments on social media and often describes fatherhood as one of his greatest achievements. - He trained as a plumber before becoming famous
Before entering the MMA spotlight, McGregor worked as a plumbing apprentice. He has spoken about early mornings on construction sites and deciding to pursue a very different path in life. - He launched a hugely successful whiskey brand
In 2018, he co-founded Proper No. Twelve, an Irish whiskey inspired by his Dublin roots. The brand became an international success and significantly expanded its business portfolio. - Luxury watches are one of his biggest passions
McGregor is an avid collector of high end timepieces, often wearing rare models from brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Jacob & Co. Some pieces in his collection are valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars, with his entire collection worth millions. - He enjoys boating and life on the water
Outside of work, Conor often spends time aboard his luxury yachts and shares photos of family trips, fishing excursions, and vacations around the Mediterranean. - Fashion is a major interest of his
McGregor is known for his bold, tailored suits, colorful patterns, and luxury style. He even collaborated on his own clothing line with David August, as he brought his distinctive fashion sense to menswear. - He has invested in pubs and hospitality
Beyond whiskey, in true Irishman fashion, McGregor has invested in Irish pubs, including purchasing the well known The Black Forge Inn in Dublin. He renovated and transformed it into a popular destination. - He loves high performance cars
McGregor has built an impressive collection of luxury and supercars from manufacturers including Lamborghini, Rolls Royce, Bentley, and McLaren. He frequently shares his latest automotive additions with fans. Watches, fashion, drinks, cars…? Yup, he is living life to the fullest!
Max Holloway Trivia and Facts
- Proudly Hawaiian
Max was born and raised in Waianae, a community on the west side of Oahu. He has always embraced his Hawaiian roots and frequently represents the islands wherever he goes. - His nickname has a meaningful origin
Max is known as “Blessed,” a nickname he gave himself as a teenager. Rather than referring to success or fame, it reflects his gratitude for the opportunities he’s had in life. - He is a devoted father
Max has a son, Rush Holloway, who often appears in interviews, social media posts, and celebrations with him. Max has said that being a father is one of the most important roles in his life. - He grew up in a multicultural household
Holloway has a diverse heritage that includes Native Hawaiian, Samoan, and English ancestry. Hawaii’s rich mix of cultures has had a strong influence on his identity and values. - Video games are one of his favorite hobbies
Away from training, Max is an avid gamer. He is known to spend his downtime playing games like Call of Duty and other popular multiplayer titles, often interacting with fans while gaming and streaming on Kick. - He loves anime
Holloway has openly talked about being a fan of anime, especially action and fighting series. He has referenced shows like Dragon Ball Z and Naruto, and occasionally quotes or jokes about them online. This earned him an entirely new fanbase. - He passionately gives back to Hawaii
Max regularly participates in community events and charity initiatives in Hawaii, especially those focused on supporting local children and families after natural disasters or during the holidays. - Known for a relaxed, positive personality
Despite being one of the sport’s biggest stars, Holloway has earned a reputation for being approachable and easygoing. Fans often praise him for taking time to sign autographs, pose for photos, and chat with supporters. - He enjoys spending time outdoors
Growing up in Hawaii gave Max a love for the outdoors. Whether it is relaxing at the beach, spending time with family, or enjoying the island lifestyle, he often shares snapshots of life beyond the gym. - A sneaker and streetwear fan
Holloway has been spotted wearing a variety of limited edition sneakers and stylish casual outfits. While he keeps his fashion more understated than some athletes, like McGregor, for example, he has a clear appreciation for sneakers and modern streetwear culture.
