Yoel 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 that bout never materialized. Now they're working together to prepare for their upcoming assignments. Alvarez is set to face Yaroslav Amosov at UFC 328 on May 9th, while Saint Denis does not yet have a fight announced. According to Alvarez, Saint Denis reached out to arrange the training partnership, and he believes the Frenchman may be preparing for an opponent with a similar style to his own, though no specific name was mentioned.
Yoel Alvarez and Benoit Saint Denis have joined forces for a joint training camp in Bayonne, France, ahead of UFC 328 on May 9th, working under the guidance of coach Nicolas Ott as both lightweights gear up for their respective next steps.
The partnership carries an unusual backstory: the two were once slated to fight each other, though that matchup never came to fruition. According to Alvarez, it was Saint Denis who initiated the arrangement, and Alvarez has suggested the Frenchman may be preparing for an opponent whose style mirrors his own — though no name has been put forward publicly.
Saint Denis, ranked ninth in the lightweight division at 30 years old, carries a 17-3 record and brings a well-rounded, high-output game to camp. The southpaw from France lands 5.62 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy, while also averaging 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes and generating consistent submission threats at 1.8 attempts per 15 minutes. He does not yet have a fight booked for UFC 328.
Alvarez's confirmed opponent, Yaroslav Amosov, presents a contrasting profile. The 32-year-old Ukrainian holds a 30-1 record and is a formidable grappler, averaging 4.64 takedowns and 4.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Amosov is more measured on the feet, landing 2.78 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy, suggesting a wrestler-first approach that Alvarez will need to be ready to neutralize.
Why it matters
- The camp connects two lightweight contenders with overlapping skill sets, potentially sharpening both for different upcoming assignments.
- Saint Denis's presence as a high-volume grappler and striker could provide Alvarez with useful rounds simulating Amosov's wrestling-heavy style.
- With Saint Denis currently without a fight, the nature of this camp may hint at a booking that has yet to be announced officially.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
