Paddy Pimblett will face Benoit Saint Denis on July 11 at UFC 329, the promotion has officially announced. According to journalist 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 Kutateladze's coach Gor Azizyan expressed interest in a rematch with Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov only ran during their previous fight and that a tactical change would lead to a Kutateladze victory. In other news, ONE Championship's Anatoly Malykhin explained why he has turned down UFC offers despite receiving them, citing loyalty to ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong, who supported him when no one else would.
The UFC has officially confirmed a lightweight matchup between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis, set to take place July 11 at UFC 329.
Pimblett, the Liverpool-born fan favorite, has built a devoted following since arriving in the UFC, and this booking represents one of his most significant assignments to date. Saint Denis, the French finisher known for his aggressive, all-action style, enters the contest looking to reassert himself at the top of the 155-pound division after a setback in his last outing.
Reporter Ariel Helwani also revealed that the UFC is working to finalize Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for the same card. Holloway, 34, currently sits fourth in the lightweight rankings and ninth in the pound-for-pound standings. The Hawaiian holds a 27-9 record and is one of the sport's most prolific strikers, landing an exceptional 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. Separately, Islam Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion at 28-1 and the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world, is being targeted to defend against Ian Garry at UFC 330, according to Helwani.
In a related storyline, the coach of heavyweight contender Guram Kutateladze, Gor Azizyan, has called out number-one ranked heavyweight Alexander Volkov for a rematch. Azizyan alleged that Volkov, a 37-year-old Russian standing six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, relied on movement and avoidance during their first meeting, and argued that a tactical adjustment would result in a Kutateladze victory. Volkov carries a 40-11 record and lands 4.78 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Pimblett vs. Saint Denis gives UFC 329 an explosive lightweight co-feature with divisional implications for both men
- The Holloway-McGregor and Makhachev-Garry reports suggest UFC 329 and 330 are shaping up as major pay-per-view events
- A Kutateladze-Volkov rematch, if booked, would have direct bearing on the heavyweight title picture with Volkov ranked first in the division
