UFC 329, set for July 11, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena during International Fight Week, announced welterweight bout Leon Edwards vs. Daniel Rodriguez. Other fights include Gable Steveson vs. TBA (heavyweight), Paddy Pimblett vs. TBA (lightweight), and César Almeida vs. Damian Pinas (middleweight). The event coincides with the 2026 UFC Hall of Fame on July 9. This bolsters welterweight division depth post-Edwards' recent activity, potentially a title eliminator. Expect more bouts to be added as Fight Week approaches.
According to early reports that have not yet been officially confirmed, UFC 329 is shaping up to feature a welterweight clash between Leon Edwards and Daniel Rodriguez as the headlining bout. The card is reportedly scheduled for July 11, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas during International Fight Week, which also coincides with the 2026 UFC Hall of Fame ceremony on July 9.
Edwards, known as "Rocky," enters the reported matchup carrying a 22-6-0 record at 34 years old. The Birmingham-born southpaw currently sits at number nine in the welterweight rankings and stands six-foot-two with a 74-inch reach. A technically disciplined fighter, he lands 2.62 significant strikes per minute at a 54 percent accuracy rate and adds a steady ground threat with 1.18 takedowns per 15 minutes. The bout is being framed as a potential title eliminator that could reestablish Edwards in the division's upper tier.
Rodriguez, nicknamed "D-Rod," is a 39-year-old southpaw out of California representing 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu. He holds a 20-5-0 record and is ranked 14th at welterweight. At six-foot-one with a 74-inch reach, Rodriguez is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 7.2 significant strikes per minute, and would present a high-volume offensive challenge for Edwards.
Why it matters
- Edwards and Rodriguez are both southpaw welterweights, setting up a mirror-stance striking contest with contrasting output styles
- A strong showing by either fighter could shake up the welterweight rankings and influence title contention conversations
- The card also reportedly includes Paddy Pimblett, the sixth-ranked lightweight from England with a 23-4-0 record, and Gable Steveson at heavyweight, giving the event considerable cross-divisional star power
- As an unconfirmed report, the full card remains fluid with additional bouts expected to be announced ahead of Fight Week
