What Fights Could Potentially Be Announced for UFC’s International Fight Week Card?
As the summer nears, fans await some big announcements regarding the UFC’s International Fight Week card, or UFC 329, which takes place on July 11th of this year. The card is typically known to have many big-name fights that are set to deliver for the fans. So far, though, there have only been a few official fight announcements for the card, especially since there is so much focus being put towards the White House card in June. However, rumors and claims about the International Fight Week card sound very promising. It is difficult to tell which rumors are true or not, but here’s what fans could potentially expect for the July fight card.
Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry
Out of all the fight predictions for the card, this one seems to be the most likely to be announced. Both Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry have had various social media posts that somewhat hint towards a possible fight on July 11th. Garry has repeatedly called out Makhachev on ‘X’ in regard to a title fight, with the latter recently posting on the platform a picture of himself holding the title, questioning a phone call for July in the caption. This fight makes a lot of sense for both athletes, as Garry is a top-ranked welterweight who has been on a somewhat dominant run in the division. Makhachev would look to defeat Garry in his first title defense at welterweight.
Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway
This is another fight that has been brewing since Ariel Helwani somewhat confirmed back in March that Conor McGregor would make his return to the IFW card. The Irish fighter previously beat Max Holloway almost 13 years ago by unanimous decision, and the latter has expressed interest in getting his revenge. Many fans and fellow fighters have indicated that this fight would be monumental for McGregor’s return. However, with the recent history of his multiple attempted returns, it is very hard to predict if this fantasy will become a reality.
Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista 2
One of the very few fights to actually be confirmed for International Fight Week so far, and it is still worth noting here because it has the potential to be an absolute banger. Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista previously fought back in 2019, where the former won via submission in the first round. Nevertheless, both fighters have grown significantly over a period of seven years. Sandhagen has made himself one of the deadliest strikers in the Bantamweight Division, but he has had plenty of ups and downs in those seven years. Bautista has also improved by a wide margin, having had an eight-fight win streak at one point, also winning his most recent fight against Vinicius Oliveira with a rear-naked choke.
Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoit Saint Denis
Another heavily rumored fight that could be a sight to see for the fans. Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis have hinted on social media that they would be each other’s next fight, with many fans thinking that it will happen at International Fight Week. Pimblett is coming off a tough loss against Justin Gaethje for the Interim Lightweight title, while Saint Denis is on a four-fight win streak, all of them being finishes. On paper, this is the kind of fight that is meant to be on a stacked summer card.
