Conor McGregor made a career out of defying the odds, calling his shot, and proving his doubters wrong – but what will he look like at UFC 329 after five years out of action?
While McGregor has, off and on, been active in the gym, preparing for a 2024 fight with Michael Chandler prior to breaking his toe, the fact remains that he has not been seen in active competition since 2021. That’s when he snapped his leg in a third fight with Dustin Poirier; since then, McGregor’s battles have come entirely outside of the octagon.
The sport’s biggest name makes his return on Saturday, in a rematch with Max Holloway dating back to their 2013 meeting at featherweight. This time out, it’s two divisions up at welterweight; McGregor has fought there before, Holloway has not. Still, “Blessed” has always been game, and showed up at the pair’s first face-off wearing a life jacket. The message was clear: get ready for deep waters.
Paddy Pimblett is the star the UFC no doubt hopes can become a modern-day McGregor. Albeit perhaps one they can more easily control. So it’s no surprise to see Paddy “The Baddy” in the co-main event, taking on Benoit Saint-Denis in a classic England vs. France showdown.
Can McGregor do the unlikely after five years away? Our picks are in!
| Writer / Fight | Green vs .McKinney | Kavanagh vs. Royval | Sandhagen vs. Bautista | Pimblett vs. Saint-Denis | McGregor vs. Holloway |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathis Desjardins (75-32) |  |  |  |  |  |
| Brett Cagle (81-39) |  | | |  | |
| Alex Behunin (80-38) | | | | |  |
| Patrick Danna (64-32) | | | | | |
| Jay Anderson (79-45) | | | | | |
| Eddie Law (71-53) | | |  | | |
Needless to say, we don’t like Conor McGregor’s odds in this one, but it wasn’t a total shutout. One writer is going with McGregor in the main event. In comparison, none feel that Brandon Royval can get the better of Lone’er Kavanagh earlier in the night.
Only two writers are predicting Terrance “T-Wrecks” McKinney to dethrone King Green. Seems we think McKinney is going the way of the dinosaur in this one. Cory Sandhagen is a heavy fave in his fight with Mario Bautista, while the co-main event appears to favor Paddy Pimblett.
