Paddy Pimblett will face Benoit Saint-Denis on July 11 at UFC 329 in an officially announced lightweight bout. According to Ariel Helwani, the UFC is also working to book Max Holloway vs Conor McGregor for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev vs Ian Garry for UFC 330. Gor Azizyan, trainer of Sergei Pavlovich, has expressed interest in a rematch with Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov only ran during their first fight and that Pavlovich simply needs to change tactics for victory. Additionally, UFC 6 video game cover athletes have been revealed, with Alex Pereira on the base version and Max Holloway on the deluxe edition. Anatoly Malykhin explained why he won't move to the UFC despite receiving offers, citing loyalty to his current promotion and boss.
Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint-Denis have been officially booked to meet at UFC 329 on July 11, giving the lightweight division one of its most anticipated matchups of the year.
Pimblett, the charismatic Liverpool-born fighter who has built one of the sport's largest fan followings, enters the bout in the lightweight division where the stakes are rising with every win. Saint-Denis, the hard-hitting French contender known for his explosive finishing ability, brings an aggressive style that figures to make for a compelling contrast in approach.
Elsewhere in the lightweight picture, Max Holloway sits ranked fourth at 155 pounds and ninth on the pound-for-pound list. The 34-year-old Hawaiian from Gracie Technics carries a 27-9 record and an elite output of 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. According to Ariel Helwani, the UFC is working to book Holloway against Conor McGregor also at UFC 329.
Islam Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion and top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world, could be in action at UFC 330 against Ian Garry if those negotiations come together. The 34-year-old Russian trains out of Eagles MMA and holds a 28-1 record. He is one of the sport's most dangerous grapplers, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 58 percent striking accuracy.
In the heavyweight division, the camp of Sergei Pavlovich has publicly expressed interest in a rematch with number-one ranked Alexander Volkov. Trainer Gor Azizyan claimed Volkov avoided exchanges in their first meeting and suggested a tactical adjustment would be enough for Pavlovich to earn the win in a second bout. Volkov, known as Drago, holds a 40-11 record and stands six feet seven inches tall with an 80-inch reach at 57 percent striking accuracy.
Why it matters
- Pimblett vs Saint-Denis is a confirmed lightweight clash with serious ranking implications for both men
- A potential Makhachev vs Garry booking would put the welterweight title on the line at UFC 330
- The Pavlovich camp's public callout adds pressure to the heavyweight division's top contender picture
