He’s arguably the most important UFC fighter of all time – but does Conor McGregor have anything left in the tank? We’ll find out this Saturday when he steps into the Octagon for the first time in five years to face Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329, live from T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. Holloway’s the favorite, but not a runaway favorite by any means, and you can compare the latest lines from top-rated betting sites right here at OddsTrader to lock in the best value before the fighters enter the cage.
That’s not the only big fight on Saturday’s card. The co-main event features Paddy Pimblett, one of the fastest-rising stars of this sport; Pimblett will be in Lightweight action against Benoit Saint Denis. And the undercard is stacked with big names looking for their chance to shine in front of what should be one of the largest audiences the UFC has enjoyed in quite some time.
Main Event: McGregor vs. Holloway
It all starts with the long-awaited rematch between McGregor (22-6 lifetime), the former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight champion, and Holloway (27-9), himself a former Featherweight champ and holder of the “BMF” belt. Holloway is the –225 favorite at Bovada as we go to press; McGregor trails at +185.
The first time these gentlemen touched gloves was back in August 2013 at Fight Night 26 in Boston, when McGregor won by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) despite tearing his ACL during the fight. This was before either had captured UFC gold – and Holloway was a fill-in for the injured Andy Ogle, although he had over a month to prepare for this bout.
It’s been an interesting ride ever since for both fighters. McGregor proved to be not only one of the greatest MMA fighters ever, but also their biggest draw; however, the UFC’s first “champ champ” became increasingly problematic outside the Octagon, and after losing to the incomparable Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018, McGregor looked a shell of his former self in 2021, suffering back-to-back TKO losses to Dustin Poirier. Tracking these kinds of career arcs is exactly how we find the best betting value when putting together our free picks today.
We might see more of the same this Saturday. Like Holloway, Poirier was getting a second crack at McGregor after an early-career loss in September 2014 at UFC 178. Holloway defeated Poirier last July at UFC 318, then dropped the BMF title to Charles Oliveira this past March at UFC 326 via unanimous decision; Oliveira won 50-45 on all three scorecards, but at least Holloway has been active all this time. McGregor is the one with something to prove now.
Capitalize on McGregor’s underdog value or back Holloway’s consistency. Lock in Your UFC 329 Bets at Bovada.
Co-Main Event: Saint Denis vs. Pimblett
Is Pimblett (23-4 lifetime) the next McGregor? Both are former Cage Warriors champions at Featherweight, and both are highly charismatic figures from across the pond – Ireland for McGregor, England for Pimblett. The latter made his UFC debut in 2021 and won his first seven fights (five via stoppage) before Justin Gaethje beat him for the vacant interim Lightweight title this past January at UFC 324.
Is Pimblett (23-4 lifetime) the next McGregor? Both are former Cage Warriors champions at Featherweight, and both are highly charismatic figures from across the pond – Ireland for McGregor, England for Pimblett. The latter made his UFC debut in 2021 and won his first seven fights (five via stoppage) before Justin Gaethje beat him for the vacant interim Lightweight title this past January at UFC 324.
If you are planning to back him in his next bout, checking our live odds updates will ensure you get the best value across top sportsbooks before placing your wager.
Ride Saint Denis’ momentum into the Octagon. Bet Saint Denis at -145 Now!
Heavyweight: Steveson vs. Ellison
Cory Sandhagen, Robert Whittaker and Cody Garbrandt will all be in action this Saturday, but let’s take a moment to acknowledge the UFC debut of Gable Dan Steveson, the 2020 Olympic gold-medal wrestler in the men’s freestyle 125 kg event (at a combined score of 23-0 over his three opponents). His elite wrestling pedigree adds a fascinating layer to our weekend betting analysis as we help you find the best odds across the top sportsbooks.
Steveson didn’t catch on in the WWE or with the Buffalo Bills as a defensive tackle, but he’s 3-0 in MMA and a chunky –2000 favorite over Elisha “Snack Panther” Ellison (5-2, +1000) on the preliminary card. Other sportsbooks have Steveson as high as –4000, which would make him the biggest chalk in UFC history. Don’t blink; you might miss it.
Chasing a massive payout? Take a shot on the “Snack Panther” at +1000. Bet on Ellison as a Heavy Underdog.
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All the UFC odds we’ve quoted here were accurate at the time of this writing, but they may have moved by the time you read this; as always, your best defense is to sign up for multiple betting accounts at the top-rated online sportsbooks here at OddsTrader, so you can shop for the best available lines when it’s time to place your bet.
Responsible Gambling
Keep sports betting fun by treating it as a hobby rather than a necessity. Just like scouting the perfect pick, monitoring your mood and daily well-being is essential for long-term success. It is vital to approach gambling responsibly. Please consider the following tips to manage your play:
- Manage your bankroll: Only wager what you can afford to lose.
- Avoid chasing losses: Emotional betting often leads to poor decisions.
- Stay disciplined: Stick to a strategy rather than reacting impulsively to results.
- Recognize variance: Don’t put too much emphasis on trends in small samples.
- Utilize responsible gaming tools: If you need a temporary break, don’t hesitate to do so.
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