Sean O’Malley predicts Conor McGregor scores 12-second KO at UFC 329

Sean O'Malley predicts a spectacular finish in the UFC 329 headliner between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway. McGregor (22-6) returns from a five-year layoff to face Holloway (27-9) in the main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 11. The UFC bantamweight contender believes McGregor's devastating left hand will end the fight in the opening round—specifically at the 12-second mark.

O'Malley acknowledges that Holloway's chin is renowned and that "The Blessed" fighter welcomes exchanges in the pocket. However, at the 170-pound catchweight, O'Malley doubts Holloway's ability to withstand McGregor's signature power shot, even if it lands flush. "My heart's telling me Conor McGregor. My mind's telling me Max Holloway goes in there, maybe gets cracked early, but at 170 I don't know if he's gonna be able to get put away," O'Malley explained on his YouTube channel.

The prediction carries weight given McGregor's finishing record: 19 of his 22 victories have come via knockout or TKO. By contrast, Holloway has been stopped only once in his entire career—by Ilia Topuria. O'Malley notes the risk McGregor runs by pursuing that power shot aggressively: he could exhaust himself or leave openings if the blow doesn't finish the fight. Nonetheless, O'Malley's final prediction favors the Irish superstar with a Round 1 knockout at 12 seconds—a stunning but unlikely scenario in modern mixed martial arts.