Paddy Pimblett will face Renato Moicano on July 11 at UFC 329, according to an official announcement. The post also mentions that Ariel Helwani reported UFC plans to book Max Holloway vs Conor McGregor for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev vs Ian Garry for UFC 330 in the near future. Additionally, Guram Azizyan, trainer of Sergei Pavlovich, expressed interest in a rematch with Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov only ran during their first fight and that Pavlovich just needs to change tactics. The post also noted Sean O'Malley teaching Nina how to ride a bike and Anatoly Malykhin explaining why he won't move to UFC despite offers, citing loyalty to his current promotion.
Paddy Pimblett and Renato Moicano have been officially booked to meet at UFC 329 on July 11, setting up a lightweight clash between two of the division's most recognizable names.
Pimblett, 31, enters the fight ranked sixth in the lightweight division with a record of 23-4-0. The Liverpool native, training out of Next Generation MMA, has built a reputation as an aggressive finisher. He lands 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and averages 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a threat both on the feet and on the mat. Standing five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach, he fights out of an orthodox stance.
Moicano comes in ranked 13th at lightweight and carries a record of 21-7-1. The 37-year-old Brazilian is a well-rounded veteran with a grappling-heavy approach, averaging 1.68 takedowns per 15 minutes. He lands 4.1 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy and stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach. His experience and submission background make him a technically demanding opponent for anyone in the division.
Why it matters
- Pimblett sits six spots above Moicano in the rankings, meaning a loss would seriously damage his push toward the top five
- A win for Moicano would represent a significant upset and could vault him back into contention territory
- The stylistic matchup pits Pimblett's high-volume striking and submission aggression against Moicano's takedown-first, pressure-based game
- UFC 329 is shaping up to be a major card, with Ariel Helwani also reporting that Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor is being targeted for the same event
