UFC 329 is less than 24 hours away …
It all goes down this weekend (Sat., July 11, 2026) inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the main event, former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) two-division champion, Conor McGregor, finally returns to action in a rematch against Max Holloway.
We have a weekly series at MMAmania.com called “Weekend Lock,” where we share one bet that we predict will slap in “Sin City” when the chaotic dust settles. We also want to hear what our readers think (that’s you!), so please tell us your most confident UFC 329 betting lock in the comments section below (see full UFC 329 odds here).
Last week’s recap: We have now cashed two weeks in a row, as Matheus Camilo vs. Nazim Sadykhov ended under 2.5 rounds when Camilo finished Sadykhov in the first round at UFC Baku (watch highlights).
Let’s keep rolling below:
On the UFC 329 main card, perennial Flyweight contender Brandon Royval welcomes surging prospect-turned contender Lone’er Kavanagh in a matchup that has Fight of the Night written all over it.
This week, I’m locking in Royval vs. Kavanagh Over 2.5 Rounds (-188).
Here’s why:
This is one of those fights where both men are simply too good to get run over early.
Royval has spent his entire UFC career competing against Top 15 opposition. Since arriving in the promotion, he’s shared the cage with elite names, challenged for the title, and consistently proven he belongs among the division’s best. Experience matters, and Royval has plenty of it.
Kavanagh, meanwhile, feels like the next man up.
He officially announced himself to the UFC fan base in his first main event by thoroughly beating former champion Brandon Moreno. It was the kind of performance that instantly legitimized him as a future title contender.
The stylistic matchup also favors a longer fight.
Royval is notoriously difficult to finish. Outside of Manel Kape — who seems to possess the touch of death at Flyweight — very few opponents have been able to put him away. He survives scrambles, recovers remarkably well when hurt, and thrives in chaotic exchanges.
Kavanagh, while extremely skilled, hasn’t shown himself to be a prolific UFC finisher yet. Through his run in the promotion, he’s demonstrated patience, discipline, and technical striking rather than reckless aggression. Unless Royval is suddenly compromised overnight, it’s difficult to envision Kavanagh getting his first UFC finish over Royval.
Expect a fast-paced, back-and-forth fight full of scrambles, volume striking, and momentum swings.
Those are exactly the types of fights Royval specializes in.
What could go wrong?
Royval fights with chaos built into his DNA. He willingly puts himself in dangerous positions, and eventually those risks can catch up to you. Kavanagh is also improving rapidly but has also been chinned recently.
Still, given Royval’s proven durability, Kavanagh’s measured style, and the elite level of competition both men are accustomed to, Royval vs. Kavanagh Over 2.5 Rounds (-188) looks like one of the safest plays on the UFC 329 card.
Brandon Royval via TKO/KO/DQ: +1400
Brandon Royval via submission: +700
Brandon Royval via decision: +350
Lone’er Kavanagh via TKO/KO/DQ: +225
Lone’er Kavanagh via submission: +1800
Lone’er Kavanagh via decision: +140
To checkout the latest and greatest UFC 329: “McGregor vs. Holloway 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.
