Joel Alvarez and Benoit Saint Denis have begun a joint training camp in Bayonne, France, under coach Nicolas Ott. The two lightweights were scheduled to fight each other a year ago, but the bout never materialized, and now they are helping each other prepare. Alvarez is preparing for his UFC 328 fight against Yaroslav Amosov on May 9, while Saint Denis does not have a bout announced yet. Alvarez mentioned that Saint Denis invited him to train together and suggested Saint Denis may be preparing for an opponent with a similar style, though no specific opponent was named.
Two lightweights who were once booked to fight each other have instead joined forces, with Joel Alvarez and Benoit Saint Denis sharing a training camp in Bayonne, France under coach Nicolas Ott ahead of UFC 328 on May 9.
Alvarez, nicknamed El Fenomeno, carries a 23-4 record and sits ranked 12th in the lightweight division. The 33-year-old Spaniard represents Bandog Fight Club and brings a notable offensive output to the gym, landing 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate. He also averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, reflecting a well-rounded attacking style. At six-foot-three with a 77-inch reach, he will take on Yaroslav Amosov on May 9.
Amosov, the opponent Alvarez is preparing for, owns a 30-1 record and is a dangerous grappler. The 32-year-old averages 4.64 takedowns and 4.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him one of the more prolific grapplers in the division.
Saint Denis, nicknamed God of War, is ranked ninth at lightweight with a 17-3 record. The 30-year-old southpaw is a physically active fighter who averages 5.62 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, while also contributing 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes. No opponent has been announced for his next bout, though Alvarez indicated Saint Denis may be preparing for someone with a style similar to his own.
Why it matters
- Alvarez faces one of the division's premier grapplers in Amosov, making Saint Denis's grappling-heavy game a useful training tool
- Saint Denis's unannounced matchup could carry rankings implications at a crowded lightweight tier, where he sits three spots ahead of his training partner
- The pair were previously scheduled to compete against each other, adding an unusual dynamic to their shared camp
Saturday, May 9, 2026
