The first fight on the UFC 329 undercard has been rescued after a late change, with a contender accepting the bout on just two weeks' notice. The card is headlined by Conor McGregor's return to the Octagon.
A late-withdrawal crisis on the UFC 329 undercard has been averted after a contender agreed to step in on just two weeks' notice, keeping the card's opening bout intact ahead of the July 11 event.
Details on the two fighters involved in the rescued undercard bout have not been confirmed, but the willingness of a ranked contender to accept the short-notice assignment ensures the card remains whole heading into fight week.
The headline attraction at UFC 329 is the return of Conor McGregor, the 37-year-old Irish superstar who competes out of SBG Ireland. McGregor, fighting out of a southpaw stance, carries a professional record of 22-6-0 and remains one of the most recognizable names in combat sports. Standing five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach, he has built his reputation in large part on sharp, high-volume striking, averaging 5.32 significant strikes landed per minute at 49 percent accuracy across his career. His return is the gravitational center around which UFC 329 is being built.
Why it matters
- A contender accepting a fight on two weeks' notice preserves the card's structure and protects live gate and broadcast commitments.
- Short-notice bouts at the undercard level can create unexpected ranking movement if an upset occurs.
- McGregor's return already gives UFC 329 significant commercial weight, making a full card essential for the event's overall presentation.
Saturday, July 11, 2026
