Overview
- Cody Durden will still open UFC 329 after Alessandro Costa agreed to replace Ode' Osbourne on short notice for the flyweight bout.
- Multiple outlets report Costa took the fight on roughly two weeks' notice and arrives with a string of UFC knockout finishes that make him a dangerous late replacement.
- Durden announced he signed a new four-fight contract with the promotion at the same time he revealed the new opponent.
- The card also lost bantamweight Ethyn Ewing, who withdrew from his scheduled fight with Farid Basharat and left the UFC actively searching for a replacement.
- Those changes leave matchmaking risks for UFC 329 because late replacements must clear weight cuts, medical checks and commission approval while the McGregor–Holloway main event continues to drive high visibility for undercard fighters.