UFC 329 analysis: Reaction to Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway; Paddy Pimblett’s win and more
The UFC hosted one of their most-anticipated events of the year on July 12, which produced the biggest gate of all time: UFC 329, at T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas Nevada.
The headliner of the event saw the return of the biggest star in mixed martial arts, Conor McGregor, take on the surging contender Max Holloway in a long-awaited rematch after the Irishman won via unanimous decision 13 years ago.
Rising superstar Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett took on the relentlessly violent, French ex-soldier Benoit Saint-Denis.
Two elite bantamweight contenders in Cory “Sandman” Sandhagen and Mario Bautista also went head to head in a rematch which may have redefined the future of the division, writes Sports News Blitz’s Luke Mullaney.
Connor McGregor’s return ends in horror
As the bell rang, McGregor sprinted across the octagon straight towards Holloway, opening up with a spinning wheel kick.
Upon landing, he fell awkwardly on his right knee, and fell backwards onto the canvas.
After getting to his feet within seconds, McGregor attempted a second spinning wheel kick, to which he again fell to the ground hurting his knee.
After some downward ground strikes from Holloway, he again returned to his feet.
Just as UFC fans watched, thinking they may witness the first clean exchange of the fight, McGregor threw a left hand, only to miss Holloway, and take a knee to the canvas once more.
After getting to his feet for a third and final time, McGregor grabbed his leg, and the referee called off the fight.
Potentially the most highly anticipated fight of the year, had devastatingly come to a halt in about one minute.
READ MORE: UFC 329 news: Conor McGregor's comeback ends in heartbreak after devastating injury
McGregor says fighting career isn’t over
After the fight, McGregor made several posts regarding his well-being, praising God, and spreading messages of hope.
He said: “I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return.”
Rumours as to whether he had a pre-existing injury have been circling online, but none have been confirmed to be true.
No official news has been released in regard to McGregor’s injury status post-fight.
Pimblett upsets top contender Saint-Denis
Underdog Pimblett steamrolled elite lightweight contender Benoit Saint-Denis, ending the fight in the first minute.
Fans were hardly able to witness a clean exchange between the pair, before Paddy grabbed hold of Saint-Denis’ neck, ending the fight via D’arce choke.
Paddy recently lost a close three-round fight with Justin Gaethje, so there may be a potential rematch.
With Topuria’s recent loss to Gaethje, the best option could be a fresh match-up between Pimblett and Topuria, with the winner being awarded a title shot.
Given their history, this would be the best possible match-up the UFC could make right now, and would be one of the biggest draws of the year.
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Mario Bautista is bantamweight’s dark horse
Sandhagen vs Bautista was an extremely high-level bantamweight rematch, which set up the next number one contender fight.
In a three-round back and fourth battle between the pair, Cory Sandhagen came out in the first round and looked like the elite striker he’s known for.
Surprisingly, Bautista was happy to strike. Cory mixed up his shots, showing a beautiful display of blocks, elbows, kicks and unorthodox, perfectly timed combinations, Sandhagen showed he was on a different level to Bautista in the stand up.
In the second round, Bautista made key adjustments and found more success on the feet. This was the swing round and could’ve easily gone one way or the other.
Bautista had the momentum coming into the third and final round.
In the final round, Bautista completely dominated Sandhagen, scoring multiple takedowns, beating him up on the ground with ground-and-pound, and out striking him on the feet.
Ultimately, Mario Bautista won the fight by unanimous decision.
Bautista has now won 10 out of his last 11 fights, with his only loss coming to Umar Nurmagomedov.
The next match-up that makes sense for Mario Bautista is a fight against Sean O’Malley in a five-round title eliminator.
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