UFC 329 Odds and Predictions – Will it Be a Victorious Return for Conor McGregor?

The last time we saw McGregor (22-6) in action in July 2021, he had broken his leg in a trilogy match against Dustin Poirier, who had knocked McGregor out six months earlier. The Irish star has fought four times since October 2018, losing three of them, all by finishes. His lone win came against a well-past-his-prime Donald Cerrone in January 2020. McGregor hasn’t been the same since his boxing match against Floyd Mayweather in August 2017. He lost the match, but it made McGregor a millionaire. Between legal issues, trying to break into acting, and his business ventures, fighting has taken a backseat to “Notorious” in recent years.

On his way to winning the featherweight and lightweight matches, McGregor was one of the best strikers in the UFC, using feints and speed, along with pinpoint accuracy. Wrestling has never been his style, and it showed as McGregor was dominated on the mat against Khabib Nurmagomedov in their grudge match.

Holloway (27-9) has fought eight times since McGregor’s last match, and has won and lost the “BMF” belt in that time. He has moved from 145 to 170 pounds, so that’s something to watch. But Holloway is also a legendary striker in the UFC, and he’ll stand and trade as he did in his classic win over current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje in April 2024. However, “Blessed” did look a step slow against Charles Oliveira in March 2026, when he was constantly beaten to the punch and almost submitted.

These two fought way back in August 2013, when McGregor pitched a shutout against Holloway. But they’re in different eras now, and McGregor has alluded to losing his hunger after the Mayweather fight, when he became rich. Can he find that hunger again?

I’ve seen “ring rust” get the best of many fighters, and McGregor could come out tentative. Holloway has been in action, and he’ll be eager to show his performance against Oliveira was an anomaly. I’m taking Max Holloway by knockout in my UFC 329 predictions, and I think it’ll be early.

Pimblett (23-4) has fashioned himself to be the next McGregor with his brash style, but he’s a different type of fighter. “The Baddy” has improved his striking, and he was good against Gaethje in January 2026. But he is a grappler, with ten submission wins, and Pimblett largely strikes to set up his grappling.

That suits Saint-Denis (17-3, 1 NC) just fine as the Frenchman has 11 submission wins. He has won four in a row since a two-fight skid, winning two by knockout and two by submission. The “God of War” suffered a setback with TKO/KO losses to Poirier and Renato Moicano in 2024, but has bounced back. Like Pimblett, Saint-Denis has improved his striking over the years, and similar to his opponent, Saint-Denis likes to pressure.

This match seems like a battle of wills as Pimblett and Saint-Denis aren’t going to back down. It’s also going to be interesting to see who tries to take the fight to the mat first. But despite losing, I came away with a good feeling with Pimblett against Gaethje, who strikes with as much power (in punches and kicks) as anyone. Pimblett lasted five rounds with him, and won at least one round.

I’m backing that durability from Pimblett to power him to a win, and at plus odds on the moneyline, I’ll take the +116 price. The submission props look tempting, but I think it’ll be a stalemate on the mat.

Sandhagen (18-6) seems to be in bantamweight purgatory as he is now 0-4 in championship and title eliminator matches after losing to then-champion Merab Dvalishvili in October 2025. But he has been a top-10 fighter in the division for a long time, using a rangy striking style. He was dominated on the ground by Dvalishvili, but one of three submission wins by Sandhagen actually came against Bautista when the two fought in 2019. That was the last time Sandhagen made someone tap out.

Bautista has won nine of his last ten fights, and he submitted Vinicius Oliveira in February 2026. The Nevada native is a well-rounded fighter that uses his boxing to set up his takedowns. He may also feel a little embarrassed that he was submitted by Sandhagen seven years ago. I wouldn’t be shocked if Bautista went heavy on his grappling on Saturday.

I like the plus odds at +122 for Bautista here, and I think if he gets Sandhagen on the mat, it could be a long night for the “Sandman”. Let’s take this price and put Mario Bautista in our UFC 329 betting picks.