Just two weeks before UFC 329, the undercard for Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway has suffered a significant setback as Ode Osbourne has been forced to withdraw from his bout against Cody Durden. The event, scheduled for July 11 in Las Vegas, marks McGregor's return to the octagon for the first time in five years since breaking his leg in a first-round defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021.
Osbourne's Withdrawal and Social Media Announcement
Osbourne took to social media earlier this week to announce his withdrawal, writing: "Unfortunately, I won't be able to complete July 11th. It sucks because my team and I have put in so much hard work for over eight weeks. But I'm going to rest up and come back for the next one. Thank you, guys, for rocking with me." The reason for his withdrawal has not been disclosed. As of now, it remains unclear whether Durden will remain on the card or if the UFC will find a replacement opponent.
Durden, however, is actively seeking a new opponent. He posted on social media: "My opponent Ode Osbourne has officially went running, and pulled out of our fight for July 11th at UFC 329. Who wants to fight me in 19 days?" This leaves the promotion scrambling to fill the spot on an already stacked card.
Main Event and Co-Main Event Highlights
The main event features McGregor taking on Max Holloway in a welterweight showdown. McGregor, now 37, is confident about his return, stating: "It's going to be a demolition. I know the damage he has taken. I know I will just have to touch him, and after that, it will be clinical. A win alone is not just enough. It must be spectacular and that is what it will be." He also dismissed the notion that Holloway has evolved since their first meeting: "Is he really? I do not really see it. I do not really see vast improvements. In fact, the improvements he made, was after the fight he had with me where he adopted some of my moves. Then what did he do? He went on to win the world title. I son'd Max when I fought him last and I plan on doing the same again in more devastating fashion."
The co-main event features Paddy Pimblett, returning to the cage for the first time since his loss to Justin Gaethje. He will face surging lightweight star Benoit Saint Denis. This bout is expected to be a key highlight of the evening.
Other Key Fights on the Card
Despite the undercard blow, UFC 329 remains packed with compelling match-ups. Cory Sandhagen will face Mario Bautista in a bantamweight contest. Britain's Lone'er Kavanagh aims to climb the flyweight rankings against former title challenger Brandon Royval. The main card also includes a bout between King Green and Terrance McKinney. On the prelims, Pimblett's teammate Luke Riley will take on Kai Kamaka III.
UFC president Dana White has emphasized the importance of this event, which promises to be one of the biggest of the year. The card is designed to be stacked from top to bottom, ensuring excitement for fans despite the last-minute changes.
Impact of the Withdrawal
The withdrawal of Osbourne is a minor setback for an otherwise stellar lineup. The UFC is expected to announce a replacement for Durden or adjust the card accordingly. Fans will be watching closely to see how the promotion handles this situation in the lead-up to fight night.
