Paddy Pimblett will face Renato Moicano on July 11 at UFC 329, according to official announcements. The post also mentions upcoming plans reportedly discussed by Ariel Helwani, including Max Holloway vs. Conor McGregor potentially for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Garry for UFC 330, though these remain unconfirmed rumors. Additionally, coach Gor Azizyan stated he would like Alexander Volkov to rematch Sergei Pavlovich, claiming Volkov only ran during their first fight and that a tactical change could bring Pavlovich victory.
The UFC has officially confirmed a lightweight matchup between Paddy Pimblett and Renato Moicano, set to take place on July 11 at UFC 329.
Pimblett, known as "The Baddy," enters the fight ranked sixth in the lightweight division. The 31-year-old from England trains out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool and carries a professional record of 23-4-0. Fighting out of an orthodox stance at five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach, Pimblett is one of the more active strikers in the division, landing 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a threat on the mat as well.
Moicano, ranked 13th at lightweight, brings a record of 21-7-1 into the bout. The 37-year-old orthodox fighter stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach. He lands 4.1 significant strikes per minute and is particularly dangerous in the grappling department, averaging 1.68 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Pimblett is ranked sixth and a win over a veteran like Moicano could strengthen his case for a top-five matchup
- Moicano, ranked 13th, has the takedown volume to test Pimblett's ground defense and disrupt his striking rhythm
- Both fighters are orthodox grapplers with submission backgrounds, which sets up an intriguing tactical battle on the feet and on the ground
- A Pimblett victory would keep him on a potential trajectory toward a title eliminator fight in one of the UFC's most competitive divisions
