Friday’s weigh-in made it official: The Mac is back.
After five long years, Conor McGregor returns to the Octagon on Saturday night, running it back with fan-favorite Max Holloway in a welterweight bout at UFC 329 in Las Vegas.
Holloway is a -225 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. McGregor is a +185 underdog, with the total set at O/U 2.5 Rounds.
Along with traditional sports betting and daily fantasy, you can now have more action than ever for UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2. Check out DraftKings UFC Pick6 for my favorite picks for Saturday’s UFC event.
Max Holloway More Than 12:30 Fight Time
Conor McGregor hasn’t been locked in a cage in half a decade. There’s a solid chance he gets to bask in the moment — and by that, I mean, go to war for at least 12-and-a-half minutes.
“The Notorious” (22–6, 10–4 UFC) is attempting to stage one of the most improbable comebacks in sports history, returning from a catastrophic leg injury that shelved him for five years. But even after the extended layoff, he enters his return fight with at least one advantage: it’s going down at welterweight. McGregor is 2–1 in the division with wins over Nate Diaz and Donald Cerrone, whereas his opponent, Max Holloway (27–9, 23–9 UFC), has never fought at 170 pounds after spending the bulk of his career at 145.
McGregor has proved quite durable throughout his career — knocked out only once at the hands of Dustin Poirier — while Holloway’s durability is second to none. The latter isn’t necessarily known for his one-shot power, though. In fact, the Hawaiian fan-favorite has fought into the third round in 19 straight bouts dating back to UFC 194 in December 2015 — the same night McGregor sparked Jose Aldo.
Given McGregor’s lengthy absence and Holloway’s newfound frame, there could be a notable adjustment period before both fighters settle in. If Saturday’s main event ends in a stoppage, it will likely come after the fight reaches its halfway point.
Benoit Saint-Denis More Than 39.5 Significant Strikes
Hard-hitting lightweight Benoit Saint-Denis (17–3, 9–3 UFC) enters Saturday night with a 100 percent career finish rate, comprising six knockouts and 11 submissions. His wrecking-ball style has earned him the nickname “God of War.” However, the Frenchman will be swimming against the tide of a popular adage on Saturday night — Scousers don’t get knocked out.
Outspoken Liverpudlian Paddy Pimblett (23–4, 7–1 UFC) might not be known for his defense, but he sure knows how to take a punch. He’s coming off a five-round war with eventual champion Justin Gaethje — a decision loss that has aged exceptionally well since “The Highlight” made Ilia Topuria quit on the stool last month at the White House. In his last bout, Saint-Denis needed 97 significant strikes to stop Dan Hooker; he’s going to have to land far more than 39.5 if he wants to put away Paddy “The Baddy.”
King Green More Than 76.5 Fantasy Points
Full-throttle lightweight Terrance McKinney hasn’t gone the distance a single time in his UFC career, for better or worse. While undoubtedly a man of the people, “T. Wrecks” (18–8, 8–5 UFC) is also known for defensive negligence and poor durability, with all of his losses coming by stoppage within two rounds.
If there’s anyone who can capitalize on McKinney’s breakneck style, it’s King Green. The 155-pound staple (35–17–1, 16–12–1 UFC [1 NC]) remains a formidable gatekeeper for the division’s top 15, and he enters Saturday night on a three-fight surge — including an upset stoppage victory over rising prospect Daniel Zellhuber earlier this year. With 22 career finishes under his belt, Green should lean on his veteran prowess to control the Octagon and secure another stoppage victory, clearing 76.5 fantasy points in the process.
Gable Steveson More Than 0.5 Knockouts
Debuting heavyweight Gable Steveson is a jaw-dropping -1450 favorite for a reason. The Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler is off to a flawless start in MMA, winning his first three bouts by first-round knockout — one in under 30 seconds.
Perhaps the most highly touted heavyweight prospect since Brock Lesnar, Steveson (3–0, 0–0 UFC) enters Saturday night with a golden opportunity to make an emphatic first impression in the Octagon. He’s stacked up against Elisha Ellison (5–2, 0–1 UFC), who got stopped within the opening two minutes of his September debut against Brando Pericic.
Adrian Yanez More Than 0.5 Knockouts
Someone’s bound to hit the canvas in Saturday’s clash between bantamweight boxers Adrian Yanez and Cody Garbrandt. For reasons I will illuminate momentarily, I’m backing the former to deal the fight-ending blow.
Yanez (17–6–1, 6–3–1 UFC) has struggled to be consistent over the last few years. Still, his questionable decision loss to Ricky Simon earlier this year showcased just how dangerous he can be. An elite technical boxer with fight-ending power, five of his six Octagon wins have come by knockout or TKO. His 5.92 significant strikes per minute is the fifth-highest mark in division history.
Meanwhile, Garbrandt (15–7, 10–7 UFC) has been in freefall for nearly a decade, dropping seven of his last 11 bouts — four by knockout. Bolstered by a five-inch reach advantage, Yanez should have the upper hand in striking exchanges, becoming the latest fighter to expose Garbrandt’s spotty defense and fading durability.
Wang Cong More Than 14:55 Fight Time
Women’s bantamweights Tracy Cortez and Wang Cong have combined for just six stoppages across 21 professional victories — a 29 percent career finish rate. Only one of them — Cong’s first-round knockout against Victoria Leonardo in her 2024 UFC debut — was recorded inside the Octagon.
Cortez (12–3, 6–2 UFC) had gone the distance in each of her first eight UFC bouts before getting submitted by Erin Blanchfield last November. Cong (9–1, 4–1 UFC) enters Saturday riding three-straight decisions, as well. With minimal stoppage upside on both sides, this one should go the full three rounds.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of 2+ players and select whether or not you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you can not pick the same player twice, and you must pick players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
Apple DraftKings Pick6 App
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be at least 18 years or older. Higher age limits may apply in some states. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid only in states where DraftKings Pick6 operates. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. Winning a contest on DraftKings depends on knowledge and exercise of skill. See terms at pick6.draftkings.com.
