John Garza steps in on short notice to face Farid Basharat at UFC 329 after Ethyn Ewing withdraws

UFC 329 will feature a new bantamweight opponent opposite Farid Basharat. With less than a week to go, the UFC has tapped up-and-coming regional standout John Garza to replace Ethyn Ewing, who was forced to withdraw from the card due to injury, according to reporting published July 6.

Basharat enters the matchup positioned as one of the division’s more proven threats at bantamweight, carrying a perfect record through his UFC run and coming in ranked No. 10 at 135 pounds under the UFC’s more recent ranking framework, per Yahoo Sports. The matchup had been framed as a notable prelim test for Basharat, in part because Ewing had already made a name for himself by defeating unbeaten prospects earlier in his UFC tenure.

For Garza, the change is both an opportunity and a steep assignment. Yahoo Sports described him as a dynamic striker who has spent most of his pro career with Fury FC, where he compiled a 4-0 record and was scheduled to fight for a bantamweight belt in August before being called up to the UFC. The report also characterized Garza as 6-1 as a professional, with a 7-3 amateur record, setting up a debut in the sport’s biggest venue under unusually accelerated timing.

The short-notice aspect is central to what makes the replacement intriguing. Sports Illustrated reported that UFC 329 added the bantamweight bout at the start of fight week following Ewing’s injury withdrawal. That means Garza’s immediate focus becomes not only preparing for Basharat’s specific style, but also adjusting to UFC pace, judging standards, and opponent readiness, all with minimal turnaround.

Basharat’s profile, meanwhile, underscores why the UFC was willing to keep him in place on a major card. Yahoo Sports tied Basharat’s ranking and growing attention to his chain-wrestling approach and fight IQ, noting that many of his UFC fights have played out as decisions. In that context, the UFC’s decision to preserve the core matchup, even with a new opponent, suggests it still expects Basharat to be a legitimate measuring stick for where the division is headed next.

There is also a broader calendar storyline around UFC 329. Sports Illustrated described the event as headlined by Conor McGregor’s return and Max Holloway rematch, with the bantamweight prelim treated as one of the more anticipated fights for hardcore fans before Ewing’s injury. With Garza now inserted, the card’s early slate will lean more heavily on whether the newcomer can translate regional momentum into UFC-level execution against a veteran-caliber opponent.

What to watch next is how styles intersect immediately. Garza’s path is likely to involve imposing his striking rhythm early enough to avoid extended wrestling exchanges, while Basharat will look to dictate where the fight happens and force uncomfortable decision-making for a first-time UFC opponent. If Garza can stay competitive through exchanges and defensive moments, his UFC debut could turn into a springboard. If not, the change will still accomplish the other purpose, keeping Basharat’s climb on track without derailing the event’s bantamweight picture.