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 promotion is also working to finalize Max Holloway vs. Conor McGregor for the same UFC 329 card. Additionally, Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Garry is reportedly being targeted for UFC 330. Anatoly Malykhin explained why he has turned down UFC offers despite interest from the promotion, citing loyalty to ONE Championship and its chairman Chatri Sityodtong. Malykhin said he will only consider other options if ONE explicitly tells him he is no longer needed, crediting the organization for giving him opportunities when no one else would.
The UFC has officially confirmed a lightweight matchup between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint-Denis for UFC 329, scheduled for July 11.
Pimblett, known as "The Baddy," carries a 23-4 record and sits sixth in the lightweight rankings. The 31-year-old from Liverpool represents Next Generation MMA and fights out of an orthodox stance at five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach. He is an active offensive presence, landing 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy, and averaging 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, reflecting his well-rounded threat on the ground.
The UFC 329 card is shaping up to be a significant one. According to reporter Ariel Helwani, the promotion is also working to finalize a bout between featherweight standout Max Holloway and Conor McGregor for the same event. Holloway, ranked fourth at lightweight and ninth in the pound-for-pound rankings, holds a 27-9 record. The 34-year-old Hawaiian is one of the sport's most prolific strikers, averaging 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy across his career.
Looking further ahead, UFC 330 is being targeted as the destination for a welterweight title fight between champion Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry. Makhachev, the current welterweight champion and the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world, stands at 28-1. The 34-year-old Russian is a dominant wrestler, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes with 58 percent striking accuracy and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Pimblett's ranked position at sixth makes a win over Saint-Denis a meaningful step toward lightweight title contention
- The potential Holloway-McGregor addition would elevate UFC 329 into one of the year's highest-profile events
- A Makhachev welterweight title defense against Garry at UFC 330 would mark a significant divisional clash for the pound-for-pound king
