The UFC has officially announced a matchup between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint-Denis for UFC 329 on July 11. According to Ariel Helwani, the UFC is also working on booking Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry for UFC 330. Additionally, Guram Azizyan, coach to several fighters including Pavlovich, stated he would like a rematch with Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov only ran during their previous encounter and that Pavlovich simply needs to change tactics for a victory. Anatoly Malykhin also explained why he will not move to the UFC despite receiving offers, citing loyalty to his current organization.
The UFC has made Paddy Pimblett versus Benoit Saint-Denis official for UFC 329, scheduled for July 11, adding a compelling lightweight clash to what is shaping up to be a stacked card.
Beyond that confirmed booking, reporter Ariel Helwani has indicated the promotion is working to finalize Max Holloway against Conor McGregor for the same event. Holloway, 34, carries a 27-9 record and currently sits fourth in the lightweight rankings and ninth in the pound-for-pound standings. The Hawaiian southpaw is one of the most prolific strikers in UFC history, landing 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, numbers that make any prospective opponent wary.
Also in the works, according to Helwani, is a welterweight championship bout between Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry targeted for UFC 330. Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion and the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world, holds a 28-1 record. The 34-year-old Russian is a complete fighter, landing 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and attempting 1.1 submissions per 15 minutes while also posting a 58 percent striking accuracy.
Separate from the UFC booking news, heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov finds himself the subject of a callout. Coach Guram Azizyan, who works with Sergei Pavlovich among others, publicly stated he wants a rematch between Pavlovich and Volkov, alleging that Volkov spent their first encounter avoiding exchanges rather than engaging. Azizyan suggested a tactical adjustment from Pavlovich would be enough to secure a different outcome. Volkov, ranked first in the heavyweight division at 37 years old, owns a 40-11 record and stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, making him a difficult puzzle for any opponent to solve.
Why it matters
- Pimblett vs. Saint-Denis is officially locked in, giving UFC 329 its first confirmed lightweight contest
- Holloway vs. McGregor and Makhachev vs. Garry remain unconfirmed but would dramatically raise the stakes of consecutive July events
- A Pavlovich-Volkov rematch, if pursued, would have direct implications at the top of the heavyweight divisional rankings
