Paddy Pimblett will face Renato Moicano at UFC 329 on July 11, according to official confirmation. According to Ariel Helwani, the UFC is also working to book Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry for UFC 330. Additionally, Guram Azizyan, trainer of several fighters, expressed interest in a rematch between Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov ran throughout their first fight and that Pavlovich simply needs to change tactics. The post also mentions that Alex Pereira and Max Holloway will appear on the UFC 6 game covers.
Paddy Pimblett and Renato Moicano have been officially booked to meet at UFC 329, scheduled for July 11, giving the lightweight division a high-profile matchup to build around on that card.
Beyond that confirmed bout, reporter Ariel Helwani has indicated the UFC is working to finalize two additional marquee fights: Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor, also targeted for UFC 329, and a welterweight championship clash between Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry at UFC 330. Neither of those contests has been officially announced.
Holloway, 34, carries a 27-9 record and currently sits fourth in the lightweight rankings and ninth in the pound-for-pound standings. The Hawaii native is one of the sport's most prolific strikers, averaging 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy over his career.
Makhachev, also 34, holds the welterweight title and is ranked first pound-for-pound with a 28-1 record. The Russian southpaw from Eagles MMA is a dominant grappler, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, complemented by a striking accuracy of 58 percent.
Separately, trainer Guram Azizyan has voiced interest in a rematch between Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov, contending that Volkov relied on movement in their first encounter and that Pavlovich would fare better with adjusted tactics. Volkov, nicknamed Drago, is 37 years old and holds a 40-11 record. The six-foot-seven Russian is ranked first in the heavyweight division and brings an 80-inch reach along with a striking accuracy of 57 percent.
Why it matters
- A Holloway-McGregor booking at UFC 329 would be one of the biggest lightweight matchups in recent memory given both fighters' profiles.
- Makhachev versus Garry would put the welterweight title on the line against one of the division's rising names.
- A Pavlovich-Volkov rematch would have significant heavyweight ranking implications, with Volkov currently sitting at the top of the division.
