The UFC has officially booked Paddy Pimblett versus Benoit Saint-Denis for UFC 329 on July 11. According to Ariel Helwani, the UFC also plans to schedule Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry for UFC 330 in the near future. Additionally, Gor Azizyan, trainer for several fighters including Sergei Pavlovich, expressed interest in a rematch with Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov only ran during their previous fight and that Pavlovich just needs to change tactics. Anatoly Malykhin explained why he won't join the UFC despite receiving offers, stating loyalty to his current promotion's leadership who supported him when no one else would. The post also noted that Alex Pereira and Max Holloway will appear on the UFC 6 game covers.
The UFC has officially confirmed Paddy Pimblett versus Benoit Saint-Denis for UFC 329, scheduled for July 11, 2026. The lightweight matchup is among several high-profile bouts taking shape around that event, with reporter Ariel Helwani also indicating that Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor is being targeted for the same card, and a welterweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry penciled in for UFC 330 in the near future.
Holloway, 34, currently sits fourth in the lightweight rankings and ninth in the pound-for-pound standings, carrying a 27-9 record. The Hawaiian striker is one of the most prolific offensive fighters in the sport, averaging 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. A move to lightweight has kept him firmly in championship contention.
Makhachev, also 34, holds the welterweight championship and is the top-ranked fighter pound-for-pound in the world, sitting at 28-1. The Russian grappler out of Eagles MMA averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 58 percent of his significant strikes, making him one of the most complete competitors in the sport.
Elsewhere in the heavyweight division, trainer Gor Azizyan — who works with Sergei Pavlovich among others — voiced interest in a rematch with the number-one ranked contender Alexander Volkov, claiming Volkov relied on movement in their previous meeting and that a tactical adjustment from Pavlovich would change the outcome. Volkov, 37, holds a 40-11 record and stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, making him one of the most physically imposing heavyweights on the roster.
Why it matters
- Pimblett vs. Saint-Denis is an officially confirmed lightweight bout for UFC 329 on July 11
- Holloway vs. McGregor and Makhachev vs. Garry are being targeted for UFC 329 and UFC 330 respectively, though neither is officially confirmed
- A potential Pavlovich vs. Volkov rematch would carry significant heavyweight title implications given Volkov's number-one ranking
Saturday, July 11, 2026
