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 additional high-profile matchups, including Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry for UFC 330. Gor Azizyan, trainer to Sergei Pavlovich, stated he would like a rematch with Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov only ran during their first fight and that a tactical adjustment would secure victory for Pavlovich. EA Sports UFC 6 will feature Alex Pereira on the standard edition cover and Max Holloway on the deluxe edition. Anatoly Malykhin explained why he's turned down UFC offers, citing loyalty to his current promotion and the opportunities they've provided him.
The UFC has made Paddy Pimblett versus Benoit Saint Denis official for UFC 329, scheduled for July 11, confirming what had been one of the more anticipated lightweight matchups in the pipeline.
Pimblett, the Liverpool-born fan favorite, has built a loyal following through his aggressive, crowd-pleasing style at 155 pounds. Saint Denis, the French finisher known for his relentless forward pressure, represents a significant step up in competition and a genuine stylistic test for Pimblett on one of the year's bigger cards.
The bout is not the only high-profile pairing connected to UFC 329. The promotion is also working to finalize Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for the same event. Holloway, 34, holds a 27-9 record and currently sits fourth in the lightweight rankings and ninth in the pound-for-pound standings. The Hawaiian striker lands an extraordinary 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, making him one of the most prolific volume strikers in UFC history.
Meanwhile, pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev is reportedly being lined up against Ian Garry for UFC 330. The 34-year-old Russian champion carries a 28-1 record and has migrated from lightweight to welterweight, where he holds the title. Makhachev averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 58 percent striking accuracy, a combination that makes him dangerous across every range.
Elsewhere in the news, Alexander Volkov's heavyweight ranking remains relevant after comments from Sergei Pavlovich's trainer Gor Azizyan, who called for a rematch and accused Volkov of avoiding exchanges in their first fight. Volkov, ranked first in the heavyweight division at 37 years old, holds a 40-11 record and stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Pimblett vs. Saint Denis is the first confirmed official fight for UFC 329, anchoring a card shaping up to feature major names
- Holloway's rumored return as a welterweight title challenger for Makhachev adds further intrigue to UFC 330's potential lineup
- A Pavlovich-Volkov rematch, if pursued, would have direct implications at the top of a competitive heavyweight division
