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Paddy Pimblett Eyes McGregor Showdown, UFC 329 Preview

Paddy Pimblett eyes a blockbuster fight with Conor McGregor at Madison Square Garden, while UFC 329 approaches with high anticipation.

Paddy Pimblett Eyes McGregor Showdown, UFC 329 Preview

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The MMA world is buzzing with talk of future super-fights and immediate action as UFC 329 draws near. We’ve got the latest on Paddy Pimblett’s ambitious call-out and all the pre-fight hype for this weekend’s massive event.

Pimblett’s McGregor Ambition

Paddy Pimblett is making it clear he wants a piece of Conor McGregor, specifically at Madison Square Garden. He’s called it the ‘perfect fight’ and believes it would be a huge draw, especially if McGregor wins at UFC 329. This isn’t just wishful thinking; former UFC champion Michael Bisping has commented on the UFC’s strategy for Pimblett, suggesting they’re looking to build him up for big matchups. Pimblett’s recent win over Benoit Saint-Denis has certainly put him in a position to aim high.

UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2

UFC 329 is almost here, featuring the highly anticipated rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway. McGregor, who hasn’t fought in five years due to various issues including a broken leg and legal troubles, is doubling down on claims that he’s still in his prime. Holloway, however, is confident, stating he’s ‘still the UFC’s best boxer.’ The weigh-ins for this event will be broadcast on CBS, and one UFC champion has even predicted a quick knockout in the main event, adding to the excitement.

Fighter Updates and Returns

Beyond the main event, there are other notable updates from the MMA world. Dustin Poirier recently opened up about an airport arrest, admitting he ‘really messed up,’ but he’s also discussed what would convince him to return to the UFC. In other news, Veronica Hardy pulled out of her scheduled bout at UFC Oklahoma City, and the UFC is reportedly adding a flyweight bout for its return to China in Shanghai. It’s a dynamic time with fighters making headlines both inside and outside the octagon.

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Episode transcript

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Welcome to Open Scoring MMA. This is episode 18, your daily look at what’s happening now and next across the world of MMA and UFC.

Conor McGregor is back, and the buzz around UFC 329 is absolutely electric. The former two-division champion is reportedly set to headline the card this Saturday, in Las Vegas, taking on an old foe in Max Holloway. This is a massive return for McGregor, who hasn’t competed in five years. Yahoo Sports MMA laid out some of the reasons for that long layoff, citing a rape case, missed drug tests, and, of course, that brutal broken leg he suffered. It’s been a long road back for “The Notorious,” and the MMA world is watching to see what kind of shape he’s in.

McGregor himself is doubling down on claims that he’s in his prime, with word that he’s currently the most dangerous version of himself. He’s predicting a quick knockout in this main event, aiming to put on a “masterpiece” performance. That’s classic McGregor confidence, isn’t it? He’s always believed in his own hype, and sometimes, he delivers. A second win over Holloway would absolutely resurrect his career and get him right back into the thick of things in a big way.

But Max Holloway isn’t just showing up to be a stepping stone. “Blessed” is eager to remind everyone how good a striker he is, reportedly saying he’s still the UFC’s best boxer. This is a rematch of their first encounter, which McGregor won. Holloway has evolved tremendously since then, reportedly becoming a BMF titleholder and one of the most durable and high-volume strikers in the sport. It’s going to be fascinating to see how their styles clash now, a decade later. We’re hearing the weigh-ins for this highly anticipated bout will be live on CBS, so make sure you tune in to catch all the pre-fight intensity.

And speaking of big fights, our very own Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett is already looking ahead! We’re hearing that Paddy is plotting a Conor McGregor fight if they both win at UFC 329. Now, that’s a money fight if I’ve ever heard one! Imagine the energy, the trash talk, the sheer spectacle of Paddy and Conor, perhaps in the Big Apple. It’s a dream scenario for fans, and you know Paddy would bring the house down.

But before any of that, Paddy has his own challenge ahead. Michael Bisping, speaking to Yahoo Sports MMA, explained the UFC’s thinking behind the Paddy Pimblett versus Benoit Saint-Denis matchup. This is a crucial fight for Paddy, as he’ll reportedly be aiming to bounce back from his first UFC loss. That was a tough night for “The Baddy,” but he’s always shown incredible resilience. This fight against Saint-Denis is a chance to prove he’s still a top contender and get back on track for those massive paydays.

Moving on to some other fighter news, Dustin Poirier recently found himself in a bit of trouble. We’re hearing that “The Diamond” was taken into custody after being aggressive with airport staff, with video of the incident later emerging. Poirier himself explained what led to his airport arrest, admitting, “I really messed up.” It sounds like a regrettable situation, but it’s good to see him taking responsibility for his actions. Despite that incident, Poirier isn’t ruling out a return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, we’re told. He’s a veteran of the sport, a former interim lightweight champion, and still has a lot to offer if he decides to step back into the cage.

In other roster news, Veronica Hardy has been ruled out of her fight against Dione Barbosa at UFC Oklahoma City. Her withdrawal has been confirmed, though the specific reasons weren’t detailed. It’s always a shame when fighters have to pull out, and we wish Veronica a speedy recovery and hope to see her back in action soon.

Looking ahead to upcoming cards, the UFC is reportedly adding a flyweight bout for its return to China. Word is that the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s return to the Shanghai Indoor Stadium is scheduled for August twenty-ninth, and a new flyweight matchup has been added to the card. It’s great to see the UFC continuing its global expansion and bringing high-level MMA to fans around the world. Flyweight always delivers, so I’m excited to see who they’ve got lined up for that one.

And finally, the MMA community on Reddit is having a field day with all the Conor McGregor comeback talk. The threads are absolutely buzzing with predictions, hot takes, and debates about whether he can truly return to his old form after such a long layoff. It’s a testament to McGregor’s star power that he can still generate this much discussion, even after five years away.

That’s all for today’s Open Scoring MMA. Make sure you tune in to UFC 329 this weekend, it’s going to be a wild one!

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.