UFC 329 sees unexpected main event finish and historic performances

By James Carter — 12 July 2026 — 3 min read

UFC 329 concluded with an unexpected turn in the main event, as the highly anticipated rematch between Max Holloway and Conor McGregor ended abruptly. McGregor sustained a knee injury early in the fight, leading to a stoppage just over a minute into the bout. This outcome left Holloway unscathed, prompting discussions about his next potential opponent.

Holloway’s performance at UFC 329 marked a significant milestone, as he became the 20th fighter to secure victories in three different weight classes within the UFC. His 24 victories in UFC competition tie him for third-most in company history. Holloway has also recorded 12 knockout victories in the UFC, placing him tied for third all-time. Furthermore, he holds the record for the most significant strikes landed in UFC competition, with 3,693, and the most total strikes landed.

The main event’s conclusion was a disappointment for many, particularly given McGregor’s recent history of injuries. His career has been affected by physical setbacks, including an ankle injury in a previous fight and a toe injury that led to the cancellation of another bout. This latest injury resulted in McGregor’s third consecutive loss, marking the longest losing streak of his career. He has not secured a victory since January 2020, and all seven of his career losses have come by stoppage.

Pimblett’s quick victory and other notable performances

In the co-main event, Paddy Pimblett delivered a swift victory over Benoit Saint Denis. Pimblett secured a submission win in just 52 seconds, utilizing a guillotine choke that transitioned into a D’arce choke. This marked the second-fastest D’Arce choke submission in UFC history. Pimblett has now earned six of his eight UFC victories by stoppage.

UFC 329 featured numerous other notable performances and records. The event saw 11 stoppage results, which ties the modern-era record in UFC history. Additionally, there were eight first-round stoppage results, setting a new single-event record for the UFC. The event drew an announced attendance of 20,078, generating a live gate of $26,430,566, which is the highest in UFC history.

Among other fighters, Gable Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist, made his UFC debut with a first-round knockout of Elisha Ellison. Steveson, who has earned all four of his career victories by knockout, demonstrated his athleticism in the cage. Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker was successful in his light heavyweight debut, securing a third-round knockout against Nikita Krylov, becoming the 19th fighter to achieve UFC victories in three weight classes.

Adrian Yanez knocked out former champion Cody Garbrandt in the first round, and Luke Riley stopped Kai Kamaka III in the opening round. Wang Cong earned a unanimous decision victory over Tracy Cortez, despite being docked a point for an illegal knee. Damian Pinas and Ryan Gandra both secured knockout wins in the early prelims, while Alessandro Costa and Farid Basharat also claimed victories. Farid Basharat now holds the longest active winning streak in the bantamweight division with six consecutive UFC wins.

Looking ahead for key fighters

Following his main event victory, Max Holloway has expressed his ambition to achieve two-division champion status. While a trilogy fight with McGregor was suggested by Holloway, its immediate feasibility is uncertain due to McGregor’s injury. Holloway’s future in the lightweight division remains a point of interest, with various possibilities for the former featherweight and BMF titleholder.

Justin Gaethje, the newly crowned champion, is a potential opponent for Holloway, given their previous encounter at UFC 300 where Holloway delivered a decisive performance. However, Gaethje has indicated he needs time to assess his future plans. Meanwhile, Paddy Pimblett, following his rapid submission victory, has positioned himself as a prominent figure in the sport, with his performance at UFC 329 further solidifying his standing.

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $275,000, with Paddy Pimblett, King Green, Brandon Royval, and Lon’er Kavanagh each earning $100,000 UFC 329 fight-night bonuses.

Source: ufc.com