Words by Patrick O’malley.

Intro.

With UFC Freedom 250 a distant memory in an awful political backdrop, it’s back to big time business for the Vegas outlet, and no other naqme screams big time than Conor Mcgreggor. The Irishman last competed in the Octagon back in July of 2021, and a lot has happened in that time. This is a very important timeframe for the UFC, as fans looked at this period as the time when the promotion wasn’t at its 2013 peak. In 2013 Conor debuted for the promotion. This came at a time when the perceived notion of MMA was starting to change in the Public eye. Conor would go on to become a star In the same timeline when the likes of MMA Ronda Rousey. Nate Diaz, and. Anderson Silva were household names. Conor would go on to become a multiple time champion in the Featherweight, and. Lightweight Divisions. However when someone has success in life, there comes a point when they might face excess, and this is what happened when he lost the his lightweight Championship to Habib Nurmagnamedov in the October of 2018. It was during this time that Allegations would surface that I can’t talk about for legal reasons. If you add all of this together with his losses, this could explain his mental state in the sport.

King Green vs Terrance Mckinney. UFC Lightweight Division.

When you look at this fight on paper from a fans point of view, you could argue that this had fight of the night written all over it. Both men kept things standing in the early going, allowing both men to showcase there Muay Thai boxing. Mckinney Pushed the pace as he took the fight to the ground with his Jiu jitsu. This was when King Green managed to bring the fight to him. His striking was by far the most superior. He got the win by TKO. In his interview with Joe Rogan in the aftermath. Green spoke about the tension between both men in the build up to the fight, at this point King Green told all Black male opponents to step to him. This showed real fighting spirit, at a time when the UFC needs it.

Brandon Royval vs Lone’er Kavanagh. UFC Flyweight Division.

This fight excited me. From the moment that the fight card was announced back in May. This fight had me excited. This was the battle of the stars and stripes vs London Pride. Kavanagh is one of many fighters trained by Brad Pickett, whilst Royval trains at Matt Hughes Gym. This gave me goosebumps when you look at these facts, because this was the classic fight of striker vs Wrestler. The first round played as such, Both men kept things standing, as the striking game became the backbone of early stages. Round two saw Kavanagh come out with purpose, as he rocked Royval within seconds of the restart. This gave Royval time to refocus, and try to get things to the ground. This would play into the third round. Royval showed his submission work, and this is what how the fight would end. Royval caught Kavanagh in a nasty looking rear naked choke, and got the win. On commentary Joe Rogan said his was one crazy fight, and I’ve got to say it, he’s right.

Cory Sandhagen vs Mario Bautista Bantamweight.

This fight felt like taking a look through a differant looking glass at both fighters, because it had ramifications when it came to who’s next in line for a shot at the Petr Yans Bantamweight Championship. The UFC Rankings at this moment are tight at the top of the Bantamweight Division, so this fight was very important. The first round was an all striking affair as both men kept things standing. This would be the same in the second round, as it looked even on the score cards. The third round was an easy look as Mario took Sandhagen to the ground, and if you ask me this was when the fight was won. Sandhagen looked beat, as Bautista got the win by showing that skill and technique gets you closer, because you think with your head, and not your heart. I’m an MMA Junkie, and I can’t wait to see who Mario Bautista faces next. A higher place in the UFC fighter rankings is calling.

Paddy The Baddy Is back. Lightweight Division.

This is going to sound like a cop out, but on Sunday morning before I checked out MMA News on X and there was the headline. Paddy The Baddy Pimplett submits Benoit St Denis in less than 52 seconds. This was a stunning performance that all my MMA Junkie loving heart will remember for quite sometime as one of the best performances by any fighter this year. Just awesome stuff. Paddy spoke in the aftermath stating that it’s been just over one year since the world lost Diogo Jota, and his brother Andre, and even though i’m an Arsenal supporter this got to me, because it’s a reminder to keep your loved ones close.

Conor Mcgreggor vs Max Holloway.

I had a sixth sense going into this fight, because as a lifelong MMA Junkie, I got the feeling that something would go wrong, and it did, because the fight was over in less than a minute, as conor suffered what is being reported by Many MMA news sources a serious knee injury. The fight was over after Max alerted Referee Dan Mirgliotta that Conor was hurt. The fight ended soon after that. As a self confessed MMA Junkie, and someone who was once a big fan of Conors, this felt like the time when Anderson got his leg broken when facing Chris Weidman, because when I watched that back in december of 2013. I got the same feeling 13 years later watching this, because feels like the end of an era. I don’y know what the future holds for Conor, but in the interest of fighting you’ve to ask yourself this one question. What has he got left to achieve? This is a question that isn’t going to go way, and as time, and years go on, this could become even more evidently clear.

Ranking UFC 329.

I’m going to be honest. This is by far my favourite UFC PPV of the year. I get that the ending to Mcgreggor vs Holloway was a letdown for all fans, but overall this was a great night for the UFC. Paddy The Baddy climbs up the rankings, and nearer to a title shot, as the UFC are starting to show that a new batch of stars are ready to pick Conors mantle.

UFC 329 is Ranked 8/10.