Main Event Concludes Abruptly
The highly anticipated main event at UFC 329, featuring Conor McGregor and Max Holloway in their second encounter, concluded unexpectedly early. The fight ended at 1:09 of Round 1, with Holloway securing a victory via TKO due to a knee injury sustained by McGregor.
McGregor’s return to the Octagon was cut short when he attempted a jumping scissor kick at the start of the fight. Upon landing, his knee appeared to give way. Despite attempting to continue, McGregor struggled with his balance, prompting referee Mike Beltran to intervene after Holloway landed a kick and McGregor took an unsure step back, leading to the fight being waved off.
Following the event, McGregor addressed the injury, stating that he had no pre-existing injuries going into the fight and described the incident as a “freak occurrence.” He mentioned throwing kicks and jumping throughout his training camp and backstage warm-up without issue. UFC doctors have predicted a possible torn ACL, though further testing is required to determine the full extent of the injury.
This injury marks a significant setback for McGregor, who had been away from the sport for five years. He had previously suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during his first fight against Holloway in 2013, undergoing surgery and returning to action 11 months later. The current injury is to his right knee, and with McGregor approaching 38 years old, the recovery timeline remains uncertain.
Co-Main Event and Other Main Card Highlights
In the co-main event, Paddy Pimblett delivered a dominant performance against Benoit Saint Denis. Pimblett secured a victory by technical submission with a D’arce choke at just 0:52 of Round 1. This quick finish earned Pimblett a Performance of the Night bonus of $100,000, solidifying his position as a top contender in his division.
The fight saw Saint Denis attempt a takedown almost immediately, which Pimblett countered with a guillotine before transitioning to the D’arce choke. He then rolled through to secure the submission, putting Saint Denis to sleep. This marked one of Pimblett’s best career performances, providing him with significant opportunities for the remainder of the year.
Another notable bout on the main card was the rematch between Mario Bautista and Cory Sandhagen. Bautista avenged an earlier loss by securing a unanimous decision victory with scorecards of 29-28, 29-28, 29-28. Sandhagen initially landed effective strikes in the first round, but Bautista’s Suloev stretch left Sandhagen noticeably limping. Bautista increased his pressure in the third round, dropping Sandhagen and ultimately securing the round and the fight.
The fight between Brandon Royval and Lone’er Kavanagh was recognized as the Fight of the Night, with both fighters receiving $100,000 bonuses. Royval ultimately won by submission with a rear-naked choke at 3:39 of Round 3. The bout was a back-and-forth affair, with both fighters exchanging blows and scrambles on the canvas and on their feet. Kavanagh’s attempt at a guillotine in the third round provided Royval with the opportunity to secure the submission.
Additional Bonuses and Preliminary Action
Beyond the main card, several fighters received additional bonuses for their performances. Four fighters were awarded an extra $100,000 for their efforts, while eight other fighters received $25,000 for finishes that were not bonus-winners. These included King Green, who earned a Performance of the Night bonus for his comeback victory against Terrance McKinney, finishing the fight with just one second left in the first round.
Other fighters who received finish bonuses of $25,000 included Robert Whittaker, Gable Steveson, Adrian Yanez, Luke Riley, Damian Pinas, Ryan Gandra, and Alessandro Costa. Whittaker secured a finish against Nikita Krylov early in the third round. Steveson, in his promotional debut, overwhelmed Elisha Ellison for a first-round TKO. Yanez defeated former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt with a first-round TKO. Riley remained undefeated by taking out Kai Kamaka III with a TKO in the first round. Pinas delivered a powerful blow to Cesar Almeida, leading to a finish. Gandra landed a left hand that put Zach Reese out in the first round. Costa secured his first UFC submission against Cody Durden with a palm-to-palm rear-naked choke.
The event also featured a strong preliminary card, where seven of the bouts concluded inside the distance, setting a high pace for the evening’s action.
The unexpected end to the main event shifted the atmosphere of UFC 329, which had otherwise been filled with exciting finishes and competitive bouts.
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Source: ufc.com
