UFC 329 Betting Preview: Main Card Picks & Best Bets

International Fight Week delivers one of the biggest cards of the year as UFC 329 heads to Las Vegas with a blockbuster main event between former two-division champion Conor McGregor and former featherweight king Max Holloway. The card also features several ranked matchups with title implications, making it one of the most intriguing betting events of 2026.

Below are our favorite wagers on the main card.

Main Event

Conor McGregor (+185) vs. Max Holloway (-225)

Welterweight

Betting Odds

  • Conor McGregor: +185
  • Max Holloway: -225

Breakdown

McGregor returns after more than five years away from the Octagon. While his power remains elite, ring rust is impossible to ignore. Holloway has stayed active against the UFC's best competition and continues to possess one of the highest striking outputs in MMA.

McGregor's best chance comes early. If he cannot land a fight-changing left hand in the opening rounds, Holloway's pace, durability, and cardio should gradually take over.

Best Bet

Max Holloway Moneyline (-225)

Value Play

Fight Goes Over 2.5 Rounds

Prediction

Holloway by Unanimous Decision

Co-Main Event

Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista

Bantamweight

Estimated Odds

  • Sandhagen: -170
  • Bautista: +145

Breakdown

Sandhagen remains one of the division's most technical strikers with outstanding movement and fight IQ.

Bautista is dangerous but tends to struggle when opponents dictate range and tempo.

Pick

Cory Sandhagen Moneyline

Value Bet

Sandhagen by Decision

Lightweight Bout

Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoit Saint-Denis

Estimated Odds

  • Saint-Denis: -135
  • Pimblett: +115

Breakdown

This may steal Fight of the Night.

Saint-Denis brings relentless pressure, heavy hands, and excellent grappling. Pimblett is creative but can be hit while entering exchanges.

If BSD keeps forcing the pace, he should wear Pimblett down over three rounds.

Pick

Benoit Saint-Denis Moneyline

Value Bet

Fight Does Not Go the Distance

Flyweight Bout

Brandon Royval vs. Gable Steveson

Breakdown

Royval owns a massive experience advantage in high-level MMA, while Steveson continues transitioning from elite wrestling into mixed martial arts.

If Steveson cannot consistently secure takedowns, Royval's scrambling ability and submission game become major factors.

Pick

Brandon Royval Moneyline

Value Bet

Royval by Submission

Light Heavyweight Bout

Nikita Krylov vs. Modestas Bukauskas

Breakdown

Krylov is one of the division's most dangerous finishers. Bukauskas has improved considerably, but Krylov's finishing ability gives him the edge if he fights aggressively.

Pick

Nikita Krylov Moneyline

Value Bet

Fight Ends Inside the Distance

Best Bet of the Night

Max Holloway Moneyline

Despite laying favorite odds, Holloway offers the safest combination of activity, durability, cardio, and championship experience.

Best Underdog

Conor McGregor by KO/TKO

If you're backing McGregor, avoid the moneyline.

His clearest path to victory is an early knockout, which typically offers much better value than simply taking him outright.

Best Parlay

  • Max Holloway
  • Cory Sandhagen
  • Benoit Saint-Denis

Estimated Odds:
Around +300

This combines three fighters with favorable stylistic matchups while avoiding excessive risk.

Best Prop Bets

  • Holloway by Decision
  • Sandhagen by Decision
  • Royval by Submission
  • Saint-Denis Inside the Distance
  • McGregor vs. Holloway Over 2.5 Rounds

Bankroll Management

Successful MMA betting isn't about winning every fight?it's about protecting your bankroll over the long term.

Recommended unit allocation:

  • 3 Units: Holloway Moneyline
  • 2 Units: Sandhagen Moneyline
  • 1 Unit: Saint-Denis Moneyline
  • 0.5 Unit: Prop Bets
  • 0.5 Unit: Parlay

Avoid chasing losses after an upset. UFC events are notoriously volatile, and disciplined bankroll management is often the difference between a profitable season and a losing one.

Final Picks

Fight  Pick
McGregor vs. Holloway  Max Holloway
Sandhagen vs. Bautista  Cory Sandhagen
Pimblett vs. Saint-Denis  Benoit Saint-Denis
Royval vs. Steveson  Brandon Royval
Krylov vs. Bukauskas  Nikita Krylov

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