The UFC has officially announced a lightweight bout between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis for UFC 329 on July 11. According to Ariel Helwani, the UFC is also working to finalize Max Holloway vs. Conor McGregor for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Garry for UFC 330. Additionally, Gadzhi Azizyan, coach of fighters like Pavlovich, Shara, Guskov, and Walker, stated he would like Sergei Pavlovich to rematch Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov only ran during their fight and Pavlovich simply needs a tactical adjustment. Anatoly Malykhin explained why he won't move to the UFC despite offers, citing loyalty to ONE Championship and his boss who gave him opportunities when no one else would.
The UFC has officially announced a lightweight clash between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis for UFC 329, scheduled for July 11.
The bout pits two of the lightweight division's most exciting performers against each other. Pimblett, the Liverpool-born fan favorite, has built a dedicated following on the strength of his aggressive, submission-heavy style inside the octagon. Saint Denis, the French finisher known for his relentless pressure, brings a similarly combustible approach to the matchup.
Beyond the confirmed booking, reporter Ariel Helwani has indicated the UFC is also working to finalize Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for UFC 329. Holloway, a 34-year-old American ranked fourth at lightweight and ninth pound-for-pound with a record of 27-9, lands an extraordinary 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, making him one of the most prolific volume strikers in the sport. Should that bout come together, it would give UFC 329 a blockbuster co-main event alongside Pimblett and Saint Denis.
Further down the road, Helwani reports the UFC is targeting Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry for UFC 330. Makhachev, the current welterweight champion and top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world, carries a 28-1 record and poses a threat on every level, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 58 percent striking accuracy.
Elsewhere in the news, the coach of heavyweight contender Sergei Pavlovich stated he wants a rematch between Pavlovich and number-one-ranked heavyweight Alexander Volkov, arguing that Volkov employed a defensive game plan in their initial meeting and that Pavlovich simply needs a tactical adjustment to get a different result. Volkov, a 37-year-old Russian standing six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, holds a 40-11 record and remains the top-ranked heavyweight in the division.
Why it matters
- Pimblett vs. Saint Denis gives UFC 329 a high-profile lightweight clash with serious divisional implications
- A potential Holloway vs. McGregor addition would elevate UFC 329 into one of the year's biggest cards
- Makhachev's reported UFC 330 matchup with Garry would be the welterweight championship's next major test
