Paddy Pimblett will face Renato Moicano (Saint-Denis) on July 11th at UFC 329, with the bout now officially confirmed. According to Ariel Helwani, UFC is planning to book Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry for UFC 330 in the near future. Anatoly Malykhin explained why he won't join UFC despite receiving offers, citing loyalty to his current organization's CEO who supported him when no one else did. The EA Sports UFC 6 game will feature Alex Pereira on the standard edition cover and Max Holloway on the deluxe edition.
Paddy Pimblett's next octagon appearance is locked in, with the UFC officially confirming he will face Renato Moicano at UFC 329 on July 11th. Meanwhile, a pair of high-profile bouts — Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor at UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry at UFC 330 — are being targeted by the promotion, according to Ariel Helwani.
Pimblett, 31, enters the fight carrying a 23-4 record and sits ranked sixth in the lightweight division. The Liverpool native trains out of Next Generation MMA and brings a 73-inch reach to go with an active submission game, averaging 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. He lands 5.49 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the more well-rounded offensive threats in the division.
Holloway, ranked fourth at lightweight and ninth pound-for-pound at 34 years old, remains one of the sport's most prolific strikers. The Hawaiian lands 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and holds a 27-9 record. His reported matchup with McGregor would add enormous mainstream attention to the UFC 329 card already anchored by Pimblett.
Islam Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion, holds a 28-1 record and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian southpaw is a dominant grappler, averaging 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, and strikes at an elite 58 percent accuracy. A matchup with Ian Garry at UFC 330 would present the champion with a stylistically distinct challenge.
Why it matters
- Pimblett vs. Moicano is officially confirmed for UFC 329, giving the card its first locked-in booking.
- Holloway vs. McGregor would be a massive co-feature if finalized, with Holloway's ranking making it a genuine lightweight contender bout.
- Makhachev vs. Garry at UFC 330 carries welterweight title implications and sets up a grappling-versus-striking contrast at the highest level.
Separately, Anatoly Malykhin addressed the UFC speculation surrounding his name, stating he will not sign with the organization despite receiving offers, citing loyalty to the CEO who backed him early in his career.
