The main card for UFC 329 has been revealed ahead of International Fight Week, headlined by Conor McGregor's return. However, the card is notably lacking in star power beyond the Irish superstar. The author expresses concern that the promotion appears to be relying entirely on McGregor's drawing power without building a strong supporting cast, which could be problematic given his recent history of fight cancellations. A specific reference is made to a situation two years ago when McGregor was scheduled to fight Chandler but the bout fell through, leaving a weak card that had to be salvaged with a hastily arranged Pereira vs. Prochazka rematch. If McGregor were to withdraw again, the post suggests Holloway vs. Pimblett might become the main event. The author recommends UFC add another marquee fight as insurance, potentially Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan for the BMF belt.
The UFC has unveiled the main card for UFC 329, scheduled for July 11 during International Fight Week, with Conor McGregor's long-awaited return headlining the event. While the announcement confirms McGregor's placement atop the bill, the supporting card has drawn criticism for a perceived lack of depth beyond the Irish superstar.
McGregor remains one of the most recognizable names in combat sports, and the promotion is leaning heavily on that profile to carry the event. The concern, however, is that this strategy leaves the card exposed if he were to withdraw — a scenario that has precedent. Two years ago, a scheduled McGregor bout with Michael Chandler collapsed, forcing the UFC to salvage the pay-per-view with a hastily arranged rematch between Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira. Prochazka, now 33 years old and ranked second in the light heavyweight division, carries a 32-6-1 record and is one of the sport's most aggressive strikers, landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
The concern is straightforward: if McGregor pulls out again, the card needs a credible fallback main event. Max Holloway, ranked fourth at lightweight with a 27-9-0 record, averages a remarkable 7.2 significant strikes per minute and sits ninth in the pound-for-pound rankings at 34 years old. A matchup between Holloway and Paddy Pimblett has been floated as a potential emergency headline option.
The more substantive insurance policy suggested is a bout between Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan for the BMF belt. Oliveira, 36, holds a 37-11-0 record, ranks third at lightweight and eleventh pound-for-pound, and remains one of the division's most dangerous finishers, averaging 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside a 54 percent striking accuracy rate.
Why it matters
- UFC 329 currently rests almost entirely on McGregor's star power, with limited depth behind him
- McGregor's recent history of cancellations makes a credible backup main event a practical necessity
- Holloway vs. Pimblett and Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan represent two options that could anchor the card independently
- The BMF belt frame for Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan would add title stakes without touching the lightweight championship picture
Saturday, July 11, 2026
