Paddy Pimblett versus Benoit Saint Denis has been officially booked for UFC 329 on July 11. According to Ariel Helwani, UFC is planning several other major fights in the near future, including Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor at UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry at UFC 330. Additionally, Gadzhi Azizyan, trainer of Pavlovich, Shara, Guskov and Walker, expressed interest in a rematch with Alexander Volkov, claiming that Volkov only ran during their fight and that Pavlovich just needs to change tactics to win. The post also mentions other news including Anatoly Malykhin's comments about remaining with ONE Championship despite UFC offers, and Alex Pereira and Max Holloway being featured on UFC 6 video game covers.
Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis have been officially booked to meet at UFC 329 on July 11, adding a high-profile lightweight clash to what is shaping up to be a stacked card.
UFC 329 is also reportedly set to feature Max Holloway against Conor McGregor, while Islam Makhachev is being lined up to defend his title against Ian Garry at UFC 330. Holloway, 34, carries a 27-9 record and sits fourth in the lightweight rankings and ninth in the pound-for-pound standings. The American striker, who trains out of Gracie Technics, is one of the most prolific volume fighters in the sport, landing 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. Makhachev, also 34, is the reigning welterweight champion and the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The Russian, representing Eagles MMA, holds a 28-1 record and blends elite grappling — averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes — with precise striking at 58 percent accuracy.
Elsewhere in the heavyweight division, trainer Gadzhi Azizyan, who works with Sergei Pavlovich among others, publicly called for a rematch against Alexander Volkov, arguing that Volkov avoided engagement during their previous meeting and that a tactical adjustment from Pavlovich could change the outcome. Volkov, 37, holds a 40-11 record and is currently ranked first in the heavyweight division. At six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, the Russian veteran is a formidable striker landing nearly five significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Pimblett vs. Saint Denis gives UFC 329 a compelling lightweight undercard centerpiece
- Holloway's move to lightweight and a potential McGregor booking carries major commercial weight for the card
- Makhachev vs. Garry at UFC 330 would put the welterweight title on the line against an unorthodox contender
- Azizyan's public callout keeps the Pavlovich-Volkov heavyweight narrative alive heading into the summer
