UFC 329: Aldo's coach makes sole bet on McGregor-Holloway 2

Published: Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 8:45 am

Aldo's Coach Bets on Striking Battle in McGregor-Holloway Rematch at UFC 329

As UFC 329 approaches, the highly anticipated rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway is generating significant buzz, with Jose Aldo's longtime coach, Andre Pederneiras, offering a unique perspective on the main event. Pederneiras, who has coached Aldo through encounters with both McGregor and Holloway, has revealed his sole wager for the July 11th bout: that the fight will remain standing.

Pederneiras, head of Nova Uniao, stated that he would not pick a definitive winner between the two featherweights-turned-lightweights. Instead, his only bet is on the fight's striking-focused nature. He explained that neither fighter demonstrates a strong inclination for grappling when striking remains a viable option.

Analyzing the potential dynamics of the fight, Pederneiras anticipates McGregor will hold an advantage in the early rounds, primarily due to his renowned knockout power, which famously ended their initial meeting. However, he cautioned that this advantage could shift significantly if the fight extends beyond the second round. Pederneiras believes Holloway's superior gas tank would then come into play, giving him the edge in later stages. He also referenced Holloway's recent knockout loss, suggesting it dispelled any notion of an unassailable chin.

Having prepared fighters against both McGregor and Holloway throughout their careers, Pederneiras possesses intimate knowledge of their fighting styles and tendencies. He reiterated that both athletes tend to favor striking exchanges over wrestling or grappling when given the choice.

UFC 329 is scheduled for Saturday night. Current betting lines indicate Holloway is a slight favorite heading into the contest.

BNN's Perspective:

The strategic insights from Andre Pederneiras offer a compelling narrative for the McGregor-Holloway rematch. His focus on the fight's striking aspect, rather than a definitive winner, highlights the stylistic clash that is likely to define the bout. This perspective underscores the anticipation for a technical and potentially explosive striking display, which is often a hallmark of both fighters' performances. It suggests that fans can expect a contest where precision and power will likely dictate the outcome, rather than a ground-and-pound battle.

Tags: UFC 329, Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, Andre Pederneiras, Jose Aldo, striking, grappling, knockout power, gas tank, rematch, featherweights, lightweights, T-Mobile Arena, Sherdog

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