Joel Alvarez and Benoit Saint-Denis have begun a joint training camp in Bayonne, France, under coach Nicolas Otta. The two lightweights were scheduled to fight each other a year ago, but the bout never materialized. Now they are working together to help prepare each other for upcoming fights. Alvarez is scheduled 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 may be preparing for an opponent with a similar style to Alvarez's, though no details were shared.
Joel Alvarez and Benoit Saint-Denis have joined forces for a joint training camp in Bayonne, France, working under coach Nicolas Otta as Alvarez prepares to face Yaroslav Amosov at UFC 328 on May 9th.
The two lightweights were booked to fight each other a year ago, though that bout never came together. Now, rather than facing off, they are sharing a gym to sharpen each other ahead of their respective next assignments. Alvarez indicated that Saint-Denis initiated the arrangement, and suggested the Frenchman may be preparing for an opponent whose style resembles his own, though no further details were disclosed.
Alvarez, ranked 12th in the lightweight division, carries a 23-4-0 record and represents Spain out of Bandog Fight Club. Known as "El Fenomeno," the 33-year-old stands six-foot-three with a 77-inch reach and is an active, accurate striker, landing 4.78 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, underlining a well-rounded offensive game.
Saint-Denis, nicknamed "God of War," sits at number nine in the lightweight rankings with a 17-3-0 record. The 30-year-old southpaw is one of the division's most physically demanding competitors, averaging 5.62 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy while also posting a remarkable 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes. No opponent has been announced for his next outing.
Their shared opponent for this camp, Amosov, enters UFC 328 with a 30-1-0 record. The 32-year-old is a relentless grappler who averages 4.64 takedowns and 4.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making Alvarez's preparation alongside an elite wrestling-oriented partner in Saint-Denis a logical choice.
Why it matters
- Alvarez faces one of the division's most dangerous grapplers in Amosov, making Saint-Denis's elite wrestling background a valuable training resource
- Saint-Denis's hint at a stylistically similar opponent adds intrigue to what his next matchup may look like
- A win for Alvarez over Amosov could push the ranked Spaniard deeper into lightweight title contention
Saturday, May 9, 2026
