UFC 329 is only two days away! This week’s event features the return of former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor. McGregor is set to take on Max Holloway for the second time, the first since they fought 13 years ago. UFC 329 is headlining the promotion’s annual International Fight Week in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the T-Mobile Arena.
Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $1M UFC 329 Special [$200K to 1st].
Check out my favorite fighters to add to your daily fantasy lineup for Saturday’s UFC 329 event.
Studs
Alessandro Costa ($9,100)
The first fight on the UFC 329 card is Alessandro Costa vs. Cody Durden in a three-round flyweight contest. Costa is riding a two-fight winning streak, with both coming by knockout. He is 4-2 in his previous six fights with four knockouts. Durden recently got back in the win column against Jafel Filho in April, which snapped his previous four-fight losing streak. In Durden’s last eight contests, he has a 2-6 record.
In this fight, Durden is three inches taller than Costa, but both fighters have the same standing reach of 67″. On the feet, Costa has the edge, as he averages more significant strikes per minute (3.86 vs. 3.24) while absorbing fewer strikes (3.70 vs. 3.94) and maintaining higher striking accuracy (46% vs. 44%). Durden is better on the ground offensively, as he lands nearly four takedowns per 15 minutes. Costa has an elite 86 percent takedown defense, which should help him counter Durden’s attempts.
Costa has recorded at least 107 fantasy points in his previous two wins and has totaled 102-plus points in all four of his UFC wins. If Costa can make this a striking contest for a long period of time, his power should be a difference-maker and become a problem for Durden to handle.
Benoit Saint Denis ($8,500)
The co-main event of UFC 329 is a highly anticipated Lightweight contest between Benoit Saint Denis vs. Paddy Pimblett. BSD is 17-3 with 17 finishes and is currently on a four-fight winning streak. Pimblett is coming off a loss to new UFC Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje, his first defeat in over seven years. Before that, Pimblett won nine consecutive fights, with his best victories coming against Michael Chandler and King Green.
Since suffering back-to-back losses in 2024, Saint Denis has looked unstoppable and has destroyed everyone in his path. On paper, this is a very close fight as both fighters have a 73″ inch standing reach, with BSD being slightly taller (5’11” vs. 5’10”). Both fighters in this contest are dangerous everywhere, but the statistics favor Saint Denis. BSD averages more significant strikes per minute (5.62 vs. 5.49) while being more accurate (58% vs. 52%). Also, on the ground, Saint Denis has the edge, landing 3.5 more takedowns per 15 minutes. Pimblett has a 44 percent takedown defense, which could be an area BSD targets in this fight.
Both fighters have 17 finishes, but only two of Pimblett’s last four wins have come by knockout or submission. Pimblett is supremely talented, but hasn’t faced someone with the arsenal like Saint Denis. BSD has a much better resume and should be able to get the better of Pimblett with his fast-paced, aggressive style. Justin Gaethje showed that if you put out a high volume of strikes, Pimblett struggles to keep up.
Value Play
Conor McGregor ($7,200)
After almost five years, Conor McGregor is set to make his long-awaited return against former foe Max Holloway in the Main Event of UFC 329. McGregor isn’t only coming off an extremely long layoff but also had to battle back from two injuries along the way. McGregor is on a two-fight losing streak, with both coming against Dustin Poirier. In his last contest against Poirier, McGregor broke his leg, which was a devastating scene to see. Then McGregor was forced to pull out of his fight against Michael Chandler in June 2024 due to a broken toe.
McGregor and Holloway first met in August 2013, where it was a one-sided fight as ‘The Notorious’ won a unanimous decision. When they first fought, both were very young and had yet to achieve many accomplishments or accolades. Now the two will step in the Octagon as former UFC Champions and certified legends.
Although McGregor returns from a long layoff and multiple injuries, he has had ample time to recover and prepare for this contest. Holloway is a phenomenal striker, but this is a better stylistic matchup for McGregor. That is because Poirier landed two of three takedown attempts against McGregor, which caused trouble for him. In the past, McGregor has excelled in matchups that consisted of only striking and didn’t go to the ground. Even though Holloway has been the more active fighter, he is 1-2 in his last three contests and has never fought at Welterweight. While the sixth-cheapest fighter on this card ($7,200), McGregor is an excellent value play given his elite upside. That is because when he is at his best, McGregor is among the greatest strikers in the sport. McGregor has recorded at least 100 fantasy points in his previous eight UFC wins.
Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $1M UFC 329 Special [$200K to 1st].
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