According to Ariel Helwani, UFC is planning several high-profile matchups in the near future. Paddy Pimblett versus Renato Moicano is officially set for July 11 at UFC 329. The promotion is also looking to book Max Holloway against Conor McGregor for UFC 329, and Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry for UFC 330. Guram Azizyan, trainer of Sergei Pavlovich, stated he would like a rematch with Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov only ran during their previous fight and that Pavlovich simply needs to change tactics. Anatoly Malykhin explained why he won't move to UFC despite receiving offers, expressing loyalty to ONE Championship and his promoter.
Multiple high-profile UFC matchups are reportedly in various stages of planning, according to a report from Ariel Helwani, with one fight already officially confirmed and several others still unverified as of late April 2026.
The one confirmed booking is Paddy Pimblett versus Renato Moicano, officially set for July 11 at UFC 329. Beyond that, the promotion is said to be targeting Max Holloway against Conor McGregor for the same card, and Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry for UFC 330. None of those latter matchups have been officially announced, and all should be treated as unconfirmed reports at this stage.
Holloway, 34, enters any potential matchup carrying a 27-9 record and currently ranked fourth in the lightweight division and ninth on the pound-for-pound list. The Hawaii-born Orthodox striker is one of the most prolific volume fighters in the sport, landing 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy.
Makhachev, also 34, is the reigning welterweight champion and the top-ranked fighter pound-for-pound in the world, holding a 28-1 record. Fighting out of Russia for Eagles MMA, the southpaw is a dominant grappler who averages 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, complemented by a 58 percent striking accuracy.
Separately, Guram Azizyan, trainer of heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich, has publicly called for a rematch against Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov used excessive movement in their previous encounter and that Pavlovich simply needs to adjust his tactics. Volkov, ranked first in the heavyweight division at 37 years old, carries 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.
Also in the news, Anatoly Malykhin addressed reported UFC overtures, stating his loyalty to ONE Championship and his promoter as the reason he has declined to make the move.
Why it matters
- A Holloway-McGregor fight at UFC 329 would be one of the most commercially significant bouts the promotion has attempted in years
- Makhachev versus Garry, if confirmed, would be a cross-divisional title challenge with major welterweight rankings implications
- Volkov-Pavlovich II would have direct bearing on the top of the heavyweight divisional picture, with Volkov currently holding the number one ranking
