The UFC has officially announced Paddy Pimblett versus Benoit Saint Denis for UFC 329 on July 11. According to Ariel Helwani, the UFC is also planning Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry for UFC 330. Guram Azizyan, trainer of Sergei Pavlovich, stated he would like a rematch with Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov only ran during their first fight and Pavlovich just needs to change tactics. Alex Pereira and Max Holloway will be featured on the covers of UFC 6, with Pereira on the base version and Holloway on the deluxe edition.
The UFC has made Paddy Pimblett versus Benoit Saint Denis official for UFC 329, scheduled for July 11.
Pimblett, the polarizing Liverpool native, has built one of the sport's most passionate followings since joining the UFC roster. His data is not present in the verified fighter set for this bout, but Saint Denis likewise does not appear in the database pull provided. The matchup pits two lightweight contenders against each other in what figures to be a high-profile card.
The July 11 event is shaping up to be a significant night for the promotion. According to journalist Ariel Helwani, the UFC is also targeting Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for UFC 329. Holloway, ranked fourth in the lightweight division and ninth pound-for-pound at 34 years old, carries a 27-9-0 record and represents one of the sport's most decorated strikers, landing an exceptional 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy.
Separately, Helwani reports that Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry is being planned for UFC 330. Makhachev, the welterweight champion and the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world, holds a 28-1-0 record. The 34-year-old Russian is one of the most complete fighters on the roster, combining elite grappling — 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — with 58 percent striking accuracy.
In other news, the camp of heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich has expressed interest in a rematch with Alexander Volkov. Trainer Guram Azizyan claimed Volkov, the number-one ranked heavyweight at 37 years old with a 40-11-0 record, relied on movement in their first encounter and suggested Pavlovich would adjust his tactics in a second fight.
Why it matters
- Pimblett vs Saint Denis officially anchors UFC 329 on July 11
- Holloway vs McGregor and Makhachev vs Garry are reportedly in planning stages for UFC 329 and UFC 330 respectively
- A potential Pavlovich vs Volkov rematch would have major implications at the top of the heavyweight division
