According to Ariel Helwani, the UFC's current plans include Conor McGregor versus Max Holloway as the main event for UFC 329 on July 11. Additionally, UFC 330 on August 15 is planned to feature Islam Makhachev defending his lightweight title against Ian Garry. The Makhachev-Garry matchup would be an intriguing stylistic clash between the dominant champion and the rising welterweight contender. These represent the promotion's tentative plans but have not been officially confirmed. The post presents this as Helwani's current information on the UFC's scheduling strategy.
According to reporter Ariel Helwani, the UFC is tentatively planning two marquee main events for the summer of 2026, though neither has been officially confirmed by the promotion.
The first reported booking would see Conor McGregor return to action against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11. McGregor, 37, carries a 22-6 record and fights out of SBG Ireland. The Irishman is a southpaw standing five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach — a notably generous frame for his size — and has averaged 5.32 significant strikes landed per minute across his career with 49 percent accuracy. Holloway, ranked fourth in the lightweight division and ninth in the pound-for-pound standings, holds a 27-9 record. The 34-year-old Hawaiian is one of the sport's most prolific volume strikers, landing 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, giving this reported matchup a compelling stand-and-trade dynamic.
The second plan Helwani outlined would place UFC 330 on August 15 as the stage for Islam Makhachev to defend his championship against welterweight contender Ian Garry. Makhachev, the reigning champion and the sport's top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter at 28-1, is a suffocating grappler who averages 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes while also connecting on 58 percent of his significant strikes. The Russian southpaw from Eagles MMA would be moving divisions for this defense if the bout is made at welterweight, adding another layer of intrigue to what Helwani describes as a tentative plan.
Why it matters
- McGregor's long-awaited return would be one of the biggest pay-per-view draws in the sport, regardless of division or ranking context
- Makhachev defending against a rising welterweight in Garry represents a cross-divisional test for the dominant champion
- Both cards remain unconfirmed, and the matchups should be treated as the promotion's current working plans rather than signed bouts
