Las Vegas hosts UFC 329 with unexpected main event ending
UFC 329, held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, concluded with an unexpected turn of events in its main card, particularly the highly anticipated rematch between Max Holloway and Conor McGregor. The night also saw notable performances from fighters like Paddy Pimblett and King Green, who secured significant bonuses for their efforts.
The main event rematch between Max Holloway and Conor McGregor ended abruptly. McGregor, making his return after a five-year absence, suffered a knee injury early in the welterweight fight, leading to a technical knockout victory for Holloway in the first round. The fight was halted just over a minute into the first round, marking an anti-climactic end to McGregor’s comeback. This injury continues a pattern of physical setbacks for McGregor, following an ankle injury in a previous fight and a toe injury that affected another planned bout.
Main Event Fallout and Future Prospects
The sudden conclusion of the McGregor vs. Holloway fight left many wondering about the future. Holloway emerged from the bout unscathed, prompting discussions about a potential rematch with newly crowned champion Justin Gaethje. The two previously faced off at UFC 300, where Holloway delivered a strong performance against Gaethje. Holloway has expressed his ambition to achieve two-division champion status, and a rematch with Gaethje could be a logical next step, though Gaethje has indicated a need to assess his future plans.
Despite the outcome, Holloway suggested a trilogy fight with McGregor, although this appears unlikely to happen in the near future. The abrupt ending also meant Holloway missed the opportunity to avenge his prior loss to McGregor on his own terms. The lightweight division now presents various possibilities for Holloway, who is a former featherweight and BMF titleholder.
For McGregor, the injury marked his third consecutive loss and his second brutal in-fight injury in his last five fights, with only one win during that period. His career has seen significant moments, including a dominant run through the featherweight ranks to the lightweight title. His decision to step away from the UFC for a fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., while financially sound, led some to ponder how his MMA career might have unfolded had he remained consistently active in the Octagon.
Standout Performances and Bonuses
Beyond the main event, several fighters delivered memorable performances at UFC 329, earning bonuses for their efforts. Paddy Pimblett was a significant winner of the night, securing a quick victory in the co-main event. He defeated Benoit Saint-Denis with a D’Arce choke in under a minute, a performance that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus of $100,000. This submission win followed a previous loss to Justin Gaethje, and his dominant showing is expected to elevate his ranking within the top five of his division.
King Green also had a standout performance, adding another win to his record by knocking out Terrance McKinney with one second remaining in the first round. This victory extended his winning streak to four, his first such streak in 12 years, and earned him a Performance of the Night bonus of $100,000. His win could potentially place him in the top 15 rankings.
The Fight of the Night bonus, totaling $100,000 each, was awarded to Brandon Royval and Lone’er Kavanagh for their flyweight bout. Royval secured a submission victory over Kavanagh in the third round with a rear-naked choke after a back-and-forth contest. Additionally, several other fighters received $25,000 finish bonuses, including Robert Whittaker, Gable Steveson, Adrian Yanez, Luke Riley, Damian Pinas, Ryan Gandra, and Alessandro Costa, for their respective finishes during the event.
The event showcased a range of outcomes, from unexpected injuries to dominant performances, with Paddy Pimblett’s victory over Benoit Saint-Denis in 52 seconds being a highlight.
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Source: ufc.com
