Gable Steveson to Make UFC Debut on Conor McGregor's Card

The 2020 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling will face off against Brazilian middleweight Cesar Almeida at UFC 329.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:43pm

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An abstract, energetic painting featuring bold, neon-colored brushstrokes that capture the intense physicality and motion of two MMA fighters engaged in combat, conceptually representing the excitement and drama of the upcoming UFC 329 event.The electric atmosphere of International Fight Week 2026 will be on full display as the UFC's top stars collide in the octagon.Las Vegas Today

The UFC 329 fight card is starting to take shape, with the first bout confirmed being a middleweight matchup between Gable Steveson, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling, and Cesar Almeida, a former kickboxer who has gone 3-2 in the UFC since earning his contract on Dana White's Contender Series in 2023. The event is set to take place on July 11 in Las Vegas during International Fight Week 2026, and could potentially feature a main event fight between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway, though nothing has been officially announced yet.

Why it matters

The addition of Gable Steveson, a highly touted wrestling prospect, to the UFC roster has generated significant buzz in the MMA community. His debut fight against the experienced Almeida will be a key early test for Steveson as he looks to make an immediate impact in the promotion. Additionally, the potential McGregor-Holloway matchup would be a highly anticipated rematch of their 2013 featherweight title fight, which Holloway lost.

The details

Gable Steveson, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling, will make his UFC debut on the UFC 329 card against Brazilian middleweight Cesar Almeida. Almeida, a former kickboxer, has gone 3-2 in the UFC since earning his contract on Dana White's Contender Series in 2023. The 38-year-old is looking to bounce back after having his two-fight winning streak snapped by Cezary Oleksiejczuk last December. Pinas, a rising talent from Aruba with a 9-1 professional record, will also be making his UFC debut on the card, taking on Almeida.

  • UFC 329 is scheduled for July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • International Fight Week 2026 will take place in the week leading up to UFC 329.

The players

Gable Steveson

A 2020 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling who is making his highly anticipated UFC debut.

Cesar Almeida

A 38-year-old Brazilian middleweight fighter who has gone 3-2 in the UFC since earning his contract on Dana White's Contender Series in 2023.

Conor McGregor

A former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion who is rumored to be the main event for UFC 329.

Max Holloway

A former UFC featherweight champion who is the current favorite to face Conor McGregor at UFC 329, though the matchup has not been officially announced.

Pinas

A rising talent from Aruba with a 9-1 professional record who will be making his UFC debut on the UFC 329 card.

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What they’re saying

“The UFC's signing of Gable Steveson was already a talking point before McGregor's name even got attached to it.”

— Harvey Leonard, Author

What’s next

The UFC has not yet officially announced the main event for UFC 329, though reports indicate that a rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway is the current favorite. The promotion is expected to make a formal announcement regarding the top fight on the card in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The addition of high-profile names like Gable Steveson and the potential return of Conor McGregor have generated significant buzz around UFC 329, which will serve as the culmination of International Fight Week 2026 in Las Vegas. The event promises to be a must-see spectacle for MMA fans, with the potential for several marquee matchups to be unveiled in the lead-up to the show.