UFC 329 Rankings: Pimblett Jumps, Bautista Surges

Main Event Ends Early

Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon at T‑Mobile Arena in Las Vegas ended in disappointment. The Irish star was set to face Max Holloway in a rematch that had been delayed for 13 years, but McGregor suffered an injury on his very first action. Because the bout never materialized, it left fans and analysts wondering how the absent fight would have reshaped the current rankings.

Despite the missed opportunity, the night’s earliest fight still delivered a dramatic statement. In the co‑main slot, Paddy Pimblett stunned Benoit Saint Denis almost instantly. He locked in a unique submission he called “The Pad‑Tie,” earning a finish in the opening minute and securing a major ranking boost.

Undercard Action Sparks Change

Fresh off his quick victory, Pimblett leapt from No. 9 to No. 7 in the lightweight division, while Saint Denis slid one spot down to No. 8. The bantamweight picture also shifted on the same night, as Mario Bautista claimed a win over Cory Sandhagen. The result triggered a swap: Bautista moved into the No. 5 spot, and Sandhagen fell to No. 6.

These adjustments reflect the fluidity of mixed‑martial‑arts rankings, especially when unexpected outcomes occur early in a card. The jumps underscore how quickly fighters can rise or fall based on singular performances.

Updated Division Standings

• Lightweight: Paddy Pimblett (No. 7), Benoit Saint Denis (No. 8)
• Bantamweight: Mario Bautista (No. 5), Cory Sandhagen (No. 6)

For the full list of USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, check out the latest update page. The rankings page continues to evolve, reflecting each fight’s impact across divisions.

The event proved that even when a star‑studded main event fizzles, the undercard can rewrite the narrative and reshuffle the hierarchy of the sport.