UFC 329 Predictions, Picks & Best Bets ft. Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 2
UFC 329 is here, headlined by the highly-anticipated and often-advertised Welterweight fight between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway. However, the co-main event between Benoit Saint Denis and Paddy Pimblett is equally as good -- if not better. There's plenty of action on the undercard, but the event centers around these two fights, and so will my UFC 329 best bets. Let's break it all down, and don't forget about the rest of our UFC 329 predictions.
UFC 329 Best Bet: Conor McGregor ML over Max Holloway (+185)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to +175.
By the numbers, McGregor enters this fight with an MMA record of 22-6 and 10-4 in the UFC, averaging 5.32 significant strikes per minute with a striking accuracy of 49% while absorbing 4.66 strikes on the other end. Further, he has always been a decent grappler but never anything to write home about. That said, take these numbers and tendencies with a grain of salt given his extended layoff.
Holloway is the significant favorite in this fight, which makes sense. However, I like McGregor with the hefty plus-money price. The biggest storyline in this fight is the return of McGregor after about a 5-year absence. There is some concern about how McGregor will look back in the octagon, but given his competitive nature and explosive ability, I can't imagine him arriving unprepared. Let's not pretend like Max has been all that great lately, because he hasn't -- losing 2 of his last 3 bouts.
Check out our full prediction for Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway
UFC 329 Best Bet: Benoit Saint Denis ML over Paddy Pimblett (-148)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook. Playable to -148.
Saint Denis is 9-3 in the UFC, and he is very much an offensive-minded fighter -- averaging 5.62 significant strikes per minute with 58% accuracy compared to absorbing 4.09 strikes at 42%. His grappling is elite, averaging 4.19 takedowns every 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts during the same period.
Saint Denis is the favorite in this fight, and deservedly so. For one, Saint Denis has won his last 4 UFC fights, while Pimblett is coming off his first UFC loss. Further, Saint Denis has a huge advantage in grappling, which has been a weakness for Pimblett due to his poor takedown defense. I would also argue this is a step up in class for Pimblett, just like it was in his loss to Justin Gaethje. Give me Saint Denis in this one.
Check out our full prediction for Benoit Saint Denis vs Paddy Pimblett
