Joel Alvarez and Benoit Saint-Denis have begun a joint training camp in Bayonne, France, under the guidance of coach Nicolas Otte. The two fighters were originally scheduled to face each other a year ago, but that bout never materialized. Alvarez is preparing for his fight against Yaroslav Amosov at UFC 328 on May 9, while Saint-Denis does not yet have an announced fight scheduled. Alvarez revealed that Saint-Denis contacted him to arrange the training partnership and suggested Saint-Denis may be preparing for an opponent with a similar fighting style, though the Spanish fighter did not know who that opponent might be.
Joel Alvarez and Benoit Saint Denis have joined forces for a shared training camp in Bayonne, France, working under coach Nicolas Otte as Alvarez gears up for his lightweight bout against Yaroslav Amosov at UFC 328 on May 9.
Alvarez, known as "El Fenomeno," enters the camp carrying a 23-4 record and sitting at number 12 in the lightweight division. The 33-year-old Spaniard trains out of Bandog Fight Club and presents a striking-heavy, submission-active profile, landing 4.78 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy while averaging 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Standing six feet three inches tall with a 77-inch reach, the orthodox fighter brings considerable physical advantages into most matchups.
Saint Denis, ranked three spots above Alvarez at number nine in the division, is the one who initiated the partnership according to Alvarez. The 30-year-old Frenchman, nicknamed "God of War," holds a 17-3 record and brings a well-rounded threat to every exchange, averaging 5.62 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy alongside a formidable 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes. He does not currently have a fight announced.
Alvarez indicated that Saint Denis likely sought out the camp because his next opponent shares stylistic similarities with Alvarez himself, though Alvarez said he did not know the identity of that opponent. The two were originally booked to fight each other roughly a year ago before that matchup fell apart.
Why it matters
- Alvarez faces Amosov, who averages 4.64 takedowns and 4.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making grappling defense a clear priority in camp
- Saint Denis's high-volume grappling and southpaw stance give Alvarez a useful training tool against a similar threat profile
- A win for Alvarez over the 30-1 Amosov would carry significant weight in the lightweight top-ten picture
Saturday, May 9, 2026
