The UFC 329 main card for International Fight Week has drawn criticism for lacking star power beyond Conor McGregor's return. The analyst notes that while McGregor's presence usually compensated for weaker cards, the current situation is different given his unreliability, referencing the Chandler situation from two years ago when a similarly weak card had to quickly add a Pereira-Prochazka rematch. The post questions what would headline if McGregor withdraws, suggesting Holloway-Pimblett as the alternative. The author expresses continued belief that McGregor is serious about his return but recommends UFC add insurance by including another major fight, suggesting Oliveira vs Tsarukyan potentially for the BMF belt. The concern is that without proper backup plans, the International Fight Week card could disappoint.
Questions are mounting over the depth of the UFC 329 main card scheduled for International Fight Week on July 11, with analysts arguing the event leans too heavily on Conor McGregor's return and lacks meaningful backup options if that headliner falls through.
The concern draws a direct parallel to a situation from two years ago, when a similarly thin card was salvaged only by the late addition of a rematch between Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira. Prochazka, now 33 and ranked second in the light heavyweight division, carries a record of 32-6-1 and has built his reputation on elite striking output, landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. That kind of emergency attraction is not always available, and the worry is the UFC may again be caught without a contingency.
The proposed insurance policy centers on pairing Charles Oliveira against Arman Tsarukyan, potentially for the BMF belt. Oliveira, 36, holds a 37-11-0 record and sits third in the lightweight rankings, also placing eleventh in the pound-for-pound standings. He brings elite finishing credentials across the board, averaging 2.6 submission attempts and 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes. A fight of that caliber would carry genuine weight on any card.
Should McGregor withdraw entirely, the suggested fallback headliner is Max Holloway against Paddy Pimblett. Holloway, ranked fourth at lightweight and ninth pound-for-pound, owns a 27-9-0 record and produces one of the sport's highest striking volumes at 7.2 significant strikes per minute. He would bring credibility to any main event slot.
Why it matters
- McGregor's history of withdrawal makes a strong contingency fight essential for UFC 329
- Oliveira vs Tsarukyan for the BMF belt is floated as a high-profile insurance addition
- Holloway-Pimblett is identified as the alternative headliner if McGregor cannot compete
- International Fight Week demands a card that can stand on its own without a single fighter
Saturday, July 11, 2026
