UFC has officially announced that Paddy Pimblett will face Benoit Saint Denis on July 11 at UFC 329. According to Ariel Helwani, UFC also plans to book Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry for UFC 330 in the near future. Guram Azizyan, trainer to several fighters including Pavlovich, stated he would like a rematch with Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov ran throughout their previous fight and that Pavlovich simply needs to change tactics. Anatoly Malykhin explained why he will not move to UFC despite receiving offers, emphasizing his loyalty to ONE Championship and stating he will only consider other leagues if ONE's chairman tells him he is no longer needed.
UFC has officially confirmed a lightweight matchup between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis for UFC 329, scheduled for July 11.
The announcement headlines what is shaping up to be a stacked card. According to reporter Ariel Helwani, the promotion also has plans to book Max Holloway against Conor McGregor for UFC 329, as well as a welterweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry for UFC 330, though neither bout has been formally confirmed.
Holloway, ranked fourth at lightweight and ninth on the pound-for-pound list, carries a 27-9 record and is one of the most prolific strikers in the sport. The 34-year-old from Hawaii lands 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, numbers that reflect the relentless volume he has built his reputation on.
Makhachev holds the welterweight championship and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings with a 28-1 record. The 34-year-old Russian southpaw is as dangerous on the ground as he is on the feet, averaging 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes while connecting on 58 percent of his strikes.
Elsewhere in the news, trainer Guram Azizyan — who works with Sergei Pavlovich among others — called for a rematch with Alexander Volkov, arguing that Volkov avoided engagement in their previous meeting and that Pavlovich simply needs to adjust his tactics. Volkov, the number-one ranked heavyweight, holds a 40-11 record and stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, making him one of the most physically imposing figures in the division.
Why it matters
- The Pimblett vs. Saint Denis booking gives UFC 329 a high-profile lightweight clash to anchor the card alongside the potential Holloway-McGregor pairing.
- A Makhachev vs. Garry title fight at UFC 330 would pit the pound-for-pound king against a rising welterweight contender.
- Azizyan's rematch call keeps the Pavlovich-Volkov heavyweight storyline active, with the top-ranked Volkov a natural target for any contender looking to climb.
