UFC president Dana White announced several major 2026 bookings, including Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2 for UFC 329 on July 11 and Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry for UFC 330 on Aug. 15. The announcement also included Dricus du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman, Magomed Ankalaev vs. Khalil Rountree Jr., and Anthony Hernandez vs. Gregory Rodrigues across the late-summer schedule. The additions matter because they immediately clarify the title picture and give multiple divisions direction heading into the second half of the year. Next, attention shifts to how those matchups are built into the broader summer schedule and whether any of the bouts are adjusted by injuries or contract issues.[4][6]
UFC president Dana White formally announced a wave of major matchups for the back half of 2026, headlined by a long-awaited rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway set for UFC 329 on July 11, and a lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry booked for UFC 330 on August 15.
Max Holloway enters the McGregor rematch as one of the most prolific strikers in UFC history. The 34-year-old Hawaiian carries a 27-9 record and is ranked fourth in the lightweight division and ninth pound-for-pound. Fighting out of Gracie Technics in an orthodox stance, Holloway stands five-foot-eleven with a 69-inch reach and lands 7.2 significant strikes per minute, one of the highest output rates in the sport.
Dricus du Plessis is also confirmed for the summer schedule, set to face Kamaru Usman in what shapes up as a marquee middleweight contest. The South African holds a 23-3 record and sits second in the middleweight rankings, ranked seventh pound-for-pound. Du Plessis is 32 years old, stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, and fights out of a switch stance for Team CIT. He lands 5.18 significant strikes per minute and mixes in 2.22 takedown attempts per fifteen minutes.
Rounding out the middleweight activity on the announced slate is a matchup between Anthony Hernandez and Gregory Rodrigues. Hernandez, nicknamed Fluffy, carries a 15-3 record and is ranked third in the division. The 32-year-old American stands six feet tall with a 75-inch reach and posts an eye-catching 5.88 takedowns per fifteen minutes alongside a 60 percent striking accuracy rate.
Why it matters
- The McGregor-Holloway rematch places a massive commercial draw directly into the lightweight picture at a critical moment for the division
- Makhachev versus Garry immediately clarifies the lightweight title situation for the second half of the year
- Du Plessis versus Usman adds a high-profile middleweight bout with significant ranking implications, while Ankalaev versus Rountree Jr. continues to sort out the light heavyweight contender picture
- Multiple divisions now have defined direction heading into the summer, reducing uncertainty at the top of several title races
Anthony Hernandez vs Gregory Rodrigues
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Saturday, July 11, 2026
