UFC 329 Fight Fallout: Best Options for Conor McGregor, Paddy Pimblett, and Max Holloway
The recent UFC 329 event, which took place in Las Vegas, has left fans with a plethora of questions and concerns about the future of several fighters. Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return ended in a disappointing loss, while Paddy Pimblett’s victory has opened doors to new opportunities.
Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz
With one fight left on his UFC contract, McGregor may be inclined to see it through. However, fans may not be eager to witness this final bout. Diaz has claimed that the UFC attempted to book the trilogy fight with McGregor for UFC Freedom 250. A legitimate matchup between these two fighters could be on the horizon.
Max Holloway vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Despite winning his fight, Holloway has fewer favorable options than before. His call for a McGregor trilogy may not be well-received, and an Arman Tsarukyan fight would pose significant challenges due to Tsarukyan’s wrestling skills. Meanwhile, a fight against Paddy Pimblett, who won without taking a lick of damage, could be a convenient option. However, we have other plans for Pimblett, which may involve a path to the lightweight title for Tsarukyan.
Paddy Pimblett vs. Ilia Topuria
The highly anticipated fight between Pimblett and Topuria, which was initially designed as a path to the lightweight title, may now take place as a non-title fight. Topuria’s loss to Justin Gaethje has made the fight seem more competitive, and both fighters are at the perfect place in their careers to justify the matchup.
Benoit Saint Denis vs. Mateusz Gamrot or Quillan Salkilld
Saint Denis’s loss to Pimblett has left him with a daunting task ahead. Assuming he and Pimblett swap places in the rankings, Saint Denis should look backwards and reassess his approach. A fight against Mateusz Gamrot or Quillan Salkilld could be a more suitable option for him.
King Green vs. Michael Chandler
Green’s fourth consecutive win in seven months has generated significant attention, but his activity is absurd for a 39-year-old fighter. While his win streak is impressive, we’re not sold on him as a ranked fighter. A fight against Michael Chandler, who has been fighting beyond his depths, could be a more suitable matchup.
Other Fights to Make after UFC 329
We also have suggestions for other fights that could take place after UFC 329. Brandon Royval vs. Asu Almabayev is a matchup that could give the man what he asked for, while Robert Whittaker vs. Caio Borralho could see Whittaker return to the middleweight division. Gable Steveson vs. Jhonata Diniz could be a more suitable matchup for Steveson, who needs to face a subpar UFC veteran after beating a glorified regional fighter.
Terrance McKinney vs. Alexander Hernandez
McKinney’s ability to finish fights quickly has earned him a reputation as the best 90-second fighter on the roster. A fight against Alexander Hernandez, who knows how to thump and is coming off a loss, could be a more suitable matchup for McKinney.
Brandon Royval vs. Asu Almabayev
Royval’s call for a fight against Almabayev post-fight is a thoughtful selection. While Almabayev is behind Royval in the rankings, he doesn’t have much room for upward trajectory. A fight against Almabayev could be Royval’s best chance at building momentum.
Robert Whittaker vs. Caio Borralho
Whittaker’s recent performance against Nikita Krylov has left fans wondering if he’s ready for a title shot in the light heavyweight division. However, we believe Whittaker should return to the middleweight division, where he’s arguably closer to a title shot.
Gable Steveson vs. Jhonata Diniz
Steveson’s impressive victory over Elish Ellision has left fans eager for more. However, we believe it’s time to pump the brakes on his ascent. A fight against Jhonata Diniz, who is 3-2 in the UFC but doesn’t have a UFC win worth bragging about, could be a more suitable matchup for Steveson.
