Paddy Pimblett will face Renato Moicano on July 11 at UFC 329. According to Ariel Helwani, the UFC is planning to schedule Max Holloway vs Conor McGregor for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev vs 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 previous fight and that Pavlovich needs to change tactics to win. Anatoly Malykhin explained why he won't move to the UFC despite receiving offers, expressing loyalty to ONE Championship.
Paddy Pimblett and Renato Moicano are set to collide at UFC 329 on July 11, with the matchup now officially confirmed.
Pimblett, the Liverpool-born lightweight known for his rapidly growing fan following, steps into one of his most significant bouts to date against Brazilian veteran Moicano. The pairing puts two entertaining, finish-seeking fighters on a card that is shaping up to be one of the year's most anticipated events.
Beyond the Pimblett-Moicano announcement, reporter Ariel Helwani has reported that the UFC is planning to book Max Holloway against Conor McGregor at UFC 329 as well. Holloway, a 34-year-old Orthodox striker from the United States, currently sits fourth in the lightweight rankings and ninth in the pound-for-pound standings. He carries a 27-9 record and one of the most relentless striking outputs in the sport, landing 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy.
Helwani also reports that lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is being targeted to defend his title against welterweight standout Ian Garry at UFC 330. Makhachev, also 34, holds a 28-1 record and is ranked as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The Russian champion is one of the division's most complete threats, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing strikes at a 58 percent accuracy clip.
Why it matters
- Pimblett vs. Moicano adds genuine lightweight division intrigue to an already loaded UFC 329 card
- A potential Holloway vs. McGregor booking would represent one of the sport's highest-profile matchups in years, carrying significant lightweight ranking consequences
- Makhachev vs. Garry at UFC 330 would pit the pound-for-pound No. 1 against a rising welterweight threat, raising cross-divisional stakes
