Yoel Alvarez and Benoit Saint Denis have started training together at a camp in Bayonne, France, under coach Nicolas Otta. The two fighters were scheduled to face each other a year ago, but the bout never materialized. Now they are helping each other prepare for upcoming fights. Alvarez is set to face Yaroslav Amosov at UFC 328 on May 9, while Saint Denis does not have an announced opponent yet. According to Alvarez, Saint Denis reached out to arrange the joint training, and the Spanish fighter believes the Frenchman may be preparing for an opponent with a similar style to his own.
Yoel Alvarez and Benoit Saint Denis have joined forces for a joint training camp in Bayonne, France, working under coach Nicolas Otta as both fighters prepare for separate upcoming bouts.
The pairing carries an unusual backstory. The two were booked to fight each other roughly a year ago, but that matchup never came to fruition. According to Alvarez, it was Saint Denis who reached out to arrange the collaboration, and the Spanish fighter has suggested the Frenchman may be using the camp to sharpen up against a style similar to his own ahead of an opponent yet to be announced.
Saint Denis, nicknamed "God of War," is ranked ninth in the UFC lightweight division at 30 years old. The southpaw from France carries a 17-3 record and brings a high-volume, multi-threat game to the cage — landing 5.62 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy while also averaging 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts in the same window.
Alvarez is set to meet Yaroslav Amosov at UFC 328 on May 9. The 32-year-old Ukrainian holds an imposing 30-1 record and is a dangerous grappler, averaging 4.64 takedowns and 4.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Although his striking output of 2.78 significant strikes per minute is more measured, he connects at 47 percent accuracy and presents a well-rounded threat across all areas.
Why it matters
- Amosov's elite grappling volume makes a wrestling-heavy training partner like Saint Denis a logical choice for Alvarez's preparation.
- Saint Denis's unannounced opponent may share stylistic traits with Alvarez, giving both fighters mutual benefit from the camp.
- The lightweight division remains competitive, and both men are looking to build momentum heading into the second quarter of 2026.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
