Paddy Pimblett will face Benoit Saint-Denis on July 11 at UFC 329. According to Helwani, the UFC is also working on McGregor versus Holloway for UFC 329 and Makhachev versus Garry for UFC 330. Gor Azizyan, coach of fighters including Pavlovich, expressed interest in a rematch with Volkov, claiming Volkov only ran during their previous bout and that Pavlovich needs to change tactics for victory. Additionally, Anatoly Malykhin explained why he will not move to the UFC despite offers, citing loyalty to ONE Championship's CEO who supported him when no one else did.
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 summer.
Pimblett, the Liverpool-born crowd favorite known for his submission game and vocal personality, has built one of the sport's largest fan bases during his UFC run. Saint-Denis, the hard-charging French finisher nicknamed "God of War," brings an aggressive, pressure-heavy style that figures to collide dramatically with Pimblett's guard-heavy approach.
The UFC 329 card appears set to be stacked beyond that pairing. According to Ariel Helwani, the promotion is also working on a bout between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway for the same card. Holloway, 34, currently sits fourth in the lightweight rankings and ninth in the pound-for-pound standings with a 27-9-0 record. Fighting out of Hawaii with Gracie Technics, "Blessed" averages a remarkable 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, making him one of the sport's most prolific volume strikers.
Separately, Helwani reports that Islam Makhachev is being targeted for UFC 330. The reigning welterweight champion carries a 28-1-0 record and tops the pound-for-pound rankings at just 34 years old. The Russian finisher out of Eagles MMA is a smothering grappler, averaging 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, with a 58 percent striking accuracy that reflects his precision even on the feet. His reported opponent for that card is Sean O'Malley's recent conqueror, Ian Garry.
Why it matters
- Pimblett vs Saint-Denis could determine a future lightweight title contender given both fighters' momentum
- A potential McGregor vs Holloway booking would be among the biggest rematches in UFC history, with Holloway now competing at lightweight
- Makhachev vs Garry at UFC 330 would put the welterweight title on the line against one of the division's fastest risers
- The heavyweight picture also drew comment this week, with coach Gor Azizyan publicly calling out the No. 1-ranked Alexander Volkov for a rematch, claiming Volkov relied on movement in their previous meeting
