Joel Alvarez and Benoit Saint-Denis have begun a joint training camp in Bayonne, France, under the coaching of Nicolas Ott. The two lightweight fighters were originally scheduled to face each other a year ago, but that bout fell through. Now they are helping each other prepare for their respective upcoming fights. Alvarez is scheduled to fight Yaroslav Amosov at UFC 328 on May 9, while Saint-Denis does not yet have an announced opponent. Alvarez mentioned that Saint-Denis reached out to arrange the training partnership and hinted that the Frenchman may be preparing for an opponent with a similar style to Alvarez, 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 Ott as both men prepare for upcoming lightweight assignments.
Alvarez, nicknamed "El Fenomeno," carries a 23-4 record and is ranked twelfth in the lightweight division heading into his scheduled bout against Yaroslav Amosov at UFC 328 on May 9. The 33-year-old Spaniard, who trains out of Bandog Fight Club, stands six-foot-three with a 77-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance. He lands 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate and averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat on the feet and on the mat.
Saint-Denis, known as "God of War," sits one spot higher at ninth in the lightweight rankings with a 17-3 record. The 30-year-old Frenchman is a southpaw standing five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach. He generates significant volume with 5.62 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy and is a formidable wrestler, averaging 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.8 submission attempts — figures that mark him as one of the division's most dangerous all-around competitors. No opponent has yet been announced for his next outing.
The two were originally booked to fight each other roughly a year ago before that matchup collapsed. Saint-Denis initiated this training partnership, according to Alvarez, who also suggested the Frenchman may be preparing to face someone who shares a similar style to himself, though no further details were offered.
Why it matters
- Alvarez faces Amosov, a 30-1 wrestler who averages 4.64 takedowns and 4.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes — a stiff grappling test for a fighter whose own takedown average sits at just 0.19 per 15 minutes.
- Saint-Denis's heavy wrestling background could provide Alvarez with useful preparation against that style.
- Both men sit inside the lightweight top fifteen, so strong performances could push either fighter toward a top-ten collision course.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
