According to Ariel Helwani's latest report, the UFC's current plans include Conor McGregor versus Max Holloway as the main event for UFC 329 on July 11, and Islam Makhachev defending against Ian Garry in the UFC 330 headliner on August 15. These fights represent major bookings at both welterweight or lightweight (for McGregor-Holloway) and lightweight (for Makhachev-Garry). The UFC has not yet officially confirmed either matchup. Both would be significant draws and represent important contests in their respective divisions.
According to a report from Ariel Helwani, the UFC has tentative plans to stage two marquee main events later this summer: Conor McGregor against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11, and Islam Makhachev defending his title against Ian Garry at UFC 330 on August 15. Neither matchup has received official confirmation from the promotion.
McGregor, 37, carries a 22-6 record and returns to the spotlight representing SBG Ireland. The southpaw stands five-foot-nine with a notably long seventy-four-inch reach, and he has historically generated significant striking volume, averaging 5.32 significant strikes landed per minute over his career. Holloway, meanwhile, enters at 27-9, ranked fourth at lightweight and ninth in the pound-for-pound standings. The thirty-four-year-old from the United States is one of the sport's most prolific strikers, averaging a remarkable 7.2 significant strikes landed per minute with 48 percent accuracy.
Makhachev, also 34, holds a 28-1 record and is currently listed in the welterweight division per the AgentMMA database, though he has long been established as a lightweight force. The Russian champion out of Eagles MMA fights out of a southpaw stance, stands five-foot-ten, and is a dominant grappler, averaging 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per fifteen minutes, while also posting a 58 percent striking accuracy mark. His reported opponent, Ian Garry, does not appear in the verified fighter database, limiting what can be confirmed about him at this stage.
Why it matters
- McGregor versus Holloway would be a blockbuster striking matchup between two of the sport's highest-volume fighters
- A Makhachev title defense keeps the lightweight or welterweight championship picture in motion heading into the second half of 2026
- Both cards would carry major pay-per-view implications, though official announcements are still pending
