First UFC International Fight Week Bout Revealed as Conor McGregor's Rumored Card Builds

Middleweight matchup between Cesar Almeida and Damian Pinas set for UFC 329 on July 11.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:10am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a UFC fight scene, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of vibrant red, blue, and yellow colors conveying the intensity and excitement of the upcoming event.The geometric, cubist-inspired illustration captures the raw energy and dynamic movement of an upcoming UFC fight night, hinting at the high-stakes action to come.Las Vegas Today

The lineup for UFC 329 on July 11, which will conclude the 2026 edition of International Fight Week at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, has begun to take shape. Reports indicate that former UFC champion Conor McGregor could be making his long-awaited comeback in the main event. The first matchup confirmed for the card is a middleweight bout between Cesar Almeida and Damian Pinas.

Why it matters

UFC International Fight Week is one of the promotion's biggest annual events, drawing significant attention and interest from fans. The potential return of Conor McGregor, one of the biggest stars in MMA history, would further heighten the anticipation and excitement surrounding this year's festivities.

The details

Cesar Almeida, a former kickboxer who holds a win over Alex Pereira, will face off against Damian Pinas, an undefeated fighter from Aruba who is 9-1 as a pro and earned a first-round knockout win in his UFC debut this past February. The bout will take place on the UFC 329 card at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 11.

  • UFC 329 will take place on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas.
  • The 2026 edition of UFC International Fight Week will conclude with UFC 329.

The players

Cesar Almeida

A 38-year-old Brazilian middleweight fighter who holds a win over Alex Pereira and has gone 3-2 in the UFC since earning a contract on Dana White's Contender Series in 2023.

Damian Pinas

A 9-1 professional fighter from Aruba who fights in the middleweight division and earned a first-round knockout win in his UFC debut this past February.

Conor McGregor

A former UFC champion who is rumored to be making his long-awaited comeback in the main event of UFC 329.

Max Holloway

The reported frontrunner to fight Conor McGregor in the UFC 329 main event, although this remains unconfirmed.

Gable Steveson

The 2020 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling who has signed with the UFC and is expected to compete on the UFC 329 card, though his opponent is still unknown.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The UFC has not yet confirmed the main event for UFC 329, but reports suggest that a fight between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway is a possibility.

The takeaway

The upcoming UFC International Fight Week event in Las Vegas is shaping up to be a highly anticipated card, with the potential return of superstar Conor McGregor headlining the festivities. The addition of Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson and the confirmed middleweight matchup between Cesar Almeida and Damian Pinas further bolsters the lineup, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the 2026 edition of this annual MMA celebration.