The UFC has officially announced a lightweight bout between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis for UFC 329 on July 11. According to Ariel Helwani, the UFC is also planning to book Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry for UFC 330 in the near future. Gora Azizyan, trainer of Sergei Pavlovich, stated he would like Pavlovich to rematch Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov only ran during their previous fight and that a tactical change would lead to victory. Anatoly Malykhin explained why he is turning down UFC offers despite having better money and promotion opportunities, citing loyalty to his current promotion boss who supported him when no one else did. Alex Pereira and Max Holloway will be featured on the UFC 6 game covers, with Pereira on the base version and Holloway on the deluxe edition.
The UFC has made the Paddy Pimblett versus Benoit Saint Denis lightweight matchup official, with the two set to collide at UFC 329 on July 11.
Pimblett, the charismatic Liverpool native, has built one of the sport's most devoted fanbases on the strength of his entertaining performances at lightweight. His opponent, Benoit Saint Denis, is a French finisher who has established himself as one of the division's most dangerous rising threats. The confirmed booking marks one of the more anticipated lightweight matchups of the year.
Why it matters
- The Pimblett-Saint Denis pairing places two exciting lightweight finishers on a card that is shaping up to be significant.
- According to Ariel Helwani, the UFC is working to add Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor to the UFC 329 card as well, which would give the event enormous star power.
- Helwani also reports that pound-for-pound No. 1 Islam Makhachev, who carries a 28-1 record and currently competes at welterweight, is being targeted to face Ian Garry at UFC 330, a fight that would carry major divisional implications.
Away from the cage, Alexander Volkov's camp made noise this week. Trainer Gora Azizyan stated that the team wants a rematch with the 37-year-old Russian heavyweight, who holds a 40-11 record and stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, arguing that Volkov's opponent ran throughout their previous meeting and that tactical adjustments would flip the result next time.
Meanwhile, Anatoly Malykhin addressed why he continues to turn down UFC offers despite acknowledging the organization provides superior money and promotional reach. Malykhin cited loyalty to his current promotion's leadership, crediting his boss for supporting him at a time when no one else would.
On the marketing front, Alex Pereira and Max Holloway have been revealed as the cover athletes for the UFC 6 video game. Holloway, a 34-year-old American ranked fourth at lightweight and ninth pound-for-pound, will appear on the deluxe edition, while Pereira will front the standard release.
