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McGregor vs. Holloway 2: The Countdown Begins!

UFC 329 is almost here, with McGregor vs. Holloway 2 headlining and plenty of other action and drama unfolding.

McGregor vs. Holloway 2: The Countdown Begins!

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UFC 329 is just around the corner, and the anticipation for the main event, Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2, is absolutely electric. We’ve got the latest on that highly anticipated rematch, plus some other big news from the fight world.

McGregor vs. Holloway 2: The Countdown Is On

The ‘UFC 329 Countdown’ episode for Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2 has dropped, giving fans a deep dive into the main event. This rematch has been a long time coming, and both fighters are clearly ready to put on a show. Max Holloway recently reflected on his BMF title fight with Charles Oliveira, admitting he should have stopped him, which shows his competitive fire is still burning bright. Darren Till also weighed in, offering a warning to McGregor about a key factor that could impact his performance at UFC 329.

Backup Fighters and Unexpected Drama

With such a high-stakes main event, a backup fighter has been chosen for McGregor vs. Holloway 2, ensuring the show goes on no matter what. Mauricio Ruffy even volunteered himself for the role, showing how much fighters want a piece of this action. In other news, a fight on the UFC 329 card was saved at the last minute when a replacement opponent stepped in with only six days’ notice, highlighting the unpredictable nature of MMA. It’s always a wild ride leading up to these big events.

Paddy Pimblett’s Big Fight and Past Comments

Paddy Pimblett is set for a significant bout against Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 329, with some analysts predicting he’ll earn a $100,000 bonus. However, a UFC analyst also pointed out what they believe is Saint-Denis’s ‘biggest problem’ in this matchup. Adding to the drama, Pimblett is reportedly heading for an awkward encounter with Conor McGregor, stemming from comments Pimblett made 11 years ago claiming he’d ‘smoke’ McGregor. Talk about a long memory in the fight game!

Beyond the Octagon: Refereeing and Title Aspirations

Charles Oliveira recently spoke out about Herb Dean’s handling of illegal strikes in Ciryl Gane’s fight, suggesting it should ‘serve as a lesson’ for officials. This highlights the ongoing discussion around referee consistency and fighter safety. Meanwhile, outside the UFC, Mansur Malachiev has declared he is ‘ready for everything’ as he targets Joshua Pacio’s undisputed gold at The Inner Circle 21. It’s clear that title aspirations and high-level competition are alive and well across the MMA landscape.

From the community

Over on r/MMA, fans are talking about this: Georges St-Pierre: Conor McGregor must put himself in ‘hell zone’ to have successful comeback at UFC 329.

Sources

Every source behind today's roundup (14)

We summarize the day’s news in our own words. Full credit to the outlets below for the original reporting, click through to read their work:

Open Scoring MMA is a daily AI-produced MMA and UFC news podcast. Listen to today’s episode, read the full Feed, or get every episode by email.

Episode transcript

Read the full episode transcript

Welcome to Open Scoring MMA. This is episode 17 for July 6, 2026, your daily look at what’s happening now and next across the world of MMA and UFC.

UFC 329 is just around the corner, and the hype train for Conor McGregor versus Max Holloway 2 is officially at full throttle. The “UFC 329 Countdown” episode has dropped, giving us an in-depth look at the return of “The Notorious” after five long years away from the Octagon. This isn’t just any comeback; it’s a rematch 13 years in the making against a former featherweight and BMF champion in Max Holloway. This fight is set to go down at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and honestly, it feels like the entire MMA world is holding its breath for this one. Per MMA Fighting, this matchup carries major stakes for both their legacies and what’s left of their fighting futures. It’s wild to think about how their destinies have intertwined again after all this time, especially since they first met as future featherweight champions. This is a massive moment for the sport, and it’s going to be a spectacle.

Speaking of that massive main event, Yahoo Sports MMA reported that a backup fighter has been chosen for the Conor McGregor versus Max Holloway main event at UFC 329. Top lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy is heading to Las Vegas to serve as the official backup, ready to step in on short notice if needed. It’s smart to have a contingency plan for such a high-profile bout, especially with McGregor’s long layoff. Ruffy is a dangerous guy, and while we all hope he’s not needed, it’s good to know there’s a capable fighter waiting in the wings.

Max Holloway himself has been reflecting on his recent BMF title fight. MMA Mania reported that Holloway reacted to his BMF title loss against Charles Oliveira, saying, “Be mad at me, I should have stopped him.” It’s a candid admission from “Blessed,” who is now just days away from what could be the biggest fight of the year against Conor McGregor at UFC 329. The promotion clearly sees the star power in Holloway, placing him in line for this massive “red panty night” with McGregor. It shows the kind of warrior Holloway is, always looking to improve and take responsibility. That mindset is exactly why he’s one of the best in the game, and why this rematch with McGregor is so compelling.

However, there are concerns about McGregor’s long layoff. Darren Till, another Scouser, has warned Conor McGregor that his half a decade of inactivity could really come back to bite him at UFC 329. Bloody Elbow reported Till’s take, and it’s a valid point. Five years is a long time to be out of the cage, especially at the elite level. Ring rust is a very real thing, and while McGregor is a generational talent, even he isn’t immune to it. Max Holloway has been incredibly active and fighting at the highest level consistently. This inactivity factor is definitely something to watch closely as fight night approaches.

Now, let’s talk about our favorite Scouser, Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett! We’re hearing that Paddy Pimblett has been backed by fellow Scouser Darren Till to score the Fight of the Night next weekend. You gotta love that confidence from a fellow Liverpudlian! This is going to be a barnburner, and if anyone can bring that kind of excitement, it’s Paddy. I’m telling you, this fight has all the makings of a classic, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Paddy walks away with that extra cash.

And speaking of Paddy and Saint-Denis, Bloody Elbow also reported that Paddy Pimblett is set for an awkward meeting with Conor McGregor, 11 years after claiming he’d “smoke” him. This is going to be interesting, to say the least! Thursday night’s media events are going to be must-watch television. Imagine the tension in the room when those two cross paths. It’s a classic “be careful what you wish for” scenario, but it’s also just part of the fight game. Paddy’s always been outspoken, and it’s fun to see these old comments resurface when the stars align like this.

In other UFC 329 news, Bloody Elbow reported that a fight has been saved on the card after a late replacement opponent stepped in on six days’ notice. Word is, the card is complete once again, with an undefeated bantamweight, Farid Basharat, stepping up. It’s always tough when fighters pull out, but it’s a testament to the depth of talent in the UFC that they can find a promotional newcomer with a perfect record to fill the slot on such short notice. Basharat has been looking for his shot, and now he’s got it on one of the biggest cards of the year. Talk about an opportunity!

Moving away from UFC 329 for a moment, MMA Fighting spoke with longtime UFC broadcaster Brendan Fitzgerald about his career. The article, titled “Anything but Fighting,” delves into Fitzgerald’s journey in Boston sports media, his dream interview subjects, and where his sports fandom truly lies. It’s always cool to get a peek behind the curtain at the personalities who bring us the fights every week. Fitzgerald is a fantastic commentator, and it’s clear he’s a genuine fan of the sport. It’s a good reminder that there are many different ways to be involved in MMA, and it’s not just about the fighters in the cage.

In other fight news, ONE News reported that Mansur Malachiev is targeting Joshua Pacio’s undisputed gold at The Inner Circle 21. The Russian star is ready to rewrite history in a World Title rematch against the Filipino in Bangkok. This is a big fight for ONE Championship, and Malachiev sounds incredibly confident. Rematches for world titles are always high stakes, and this one promises to be a banger. It’s great to see top talent from other organizations getting their shine, too.

Alright, it’s time for our OSM Pick of the Day! Our system has crunched the numbers for the fight between Levan Chokheli and Leon Shahbazyan. The betting line currently has Levan Chokheli at minus three hundred fifty-five and Leon Shahbazyan at plus three hundred ten. We like Chokheli to get the job done.

And finally, the MMA community on Reddit is having a field day discussing the potential awkward meeting between Paddy Pimblett and Conor McGregor. You know they love a good bit of drama, and this one has all the ingredients for some classic online banter.

That’s all for today’s show, fight fans. We’ll be back tomorrow with more news and analysis. Stay safe out there.

Before you go, two quick things. Check out our free Fight Tracker at tracker dot open scoring m m a dot com, with every upcoming UFC and PFL card, live odds, and where to watch, all in one place. And follow us on YouTube, just search Open Scoring MMA, for breaking news alerts, fight breakdowns, and videos you won’t get here on the feed. That’s it for today’s Open Scoring MMA. Keep your hands up, and we’ll see you next time.