The UFC has officially announced a lightweight bout between Paddy Pimblett and Renato Moicano for UFC 329 on July 11. According to Ariel Helwani, the UFC is also planning to book Max Holloway vs Conor McGregor for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev vs Ian Garry for UFC 330 in the near future. Guram Azizyan, coach to Sergei Pavlovich, stated he would like a rematch with Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov only ran during their first fight and that Pavlovich just needs to change tactics for victory. The announcement confirms multiple high-profile matchups in various stages of finalization.
The UFC has officially confirmed a lightweight matchup between Paddy Pimblett and Renato Moicano for UFC 329, scheduled for July 11.
Pimblett and Moicano are two of the lightweight division's most recognizable names, and their meeting promises significant divisional implications. Fighter data for both men was not included in the verified database for this report, so specific records and rankings are withheld here.
The announcement comes alongside a flurry of reported activity around UFC 329 and the following card. According to Ariel Helwani, the UFC is also working to finalize Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for UFC 329. Holloway, ranked fourth at lightweight and ninth pound-for-pound, carries a 27-9 record at 34 years old. The Hawaiian striker lands an exceptional 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, making him one of the most prolific volume strikers in the sport.
Also in the pipeline, per Helwani, is a welterweight world title fight between champion Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry targeted for UFC 330. Makhachev holds a 28-1 record and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings at 34 years old. The Russian southpaw is a dominant grappler, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes with 1.1 submission attempts in that same span, and posts a striking accuracy of 58 percent.
Separately, Guram Azizyan, coach to Sergei Pavlovich, expressed interest in a rematch against Alexander Volkov. Azizyan claimed Volkov used movement to avoid engagement in their first meeting and suggested Pavlovich could adjust tactics to secure a different result. Volkov, ranked first in the heavyweight division at 37 years old, holds a 40-11 record and stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, landing 4.78 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Pimblett vs. Moicano adds a marquee lightweight contest to a UFC 329 card shaping up as one of the year's biggest events
- A potential Holloway vs. McGregor booking would carry enormous commercial weight alongside the confirmed co-feature
- Makhachev's rumored title defense against Garry at UFC 330 would mark the champion's first welterweight title unification or crossover appearance
- A Pavlovich-Volkov rematch would have direct consequences at the top of the heavyweight rankings, where Volkov currently sits at number one
