Paddy Pimblett will face Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329 on July 11, according to an official announcement. The post also included unconfirmed reports from journalist Ariel Helwani suggesting the UFC is working to book Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for UFC 329 and Islam Makhachev versus Ian Garry for UFC 330. Additionally, the post mentioned that Anatoly Malykhin addressed UFC offers, stating he will not leave ONE Championship out of loyalty to the promotion that supported him when others did not. Malykhin said he would only consider moving to another organization if ONE Championship's leadership told him he was no longer needed. The EA Sports UFC 6 cover athletes were also revealed, with Alex Pereira on the base edition and Max Holloway on the deluxe edition.
Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis have been officially booked to meet at UFC 329 on July 11, with the promotion confirming the lightweight matchup.
Pimblett, known as "The Baddy," enters the bout at 31 years old carrying a 23-4 record and currently ranked sixth in the lightweight division. The Liverpool native, who trains out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool, is an active and technical striker who lands 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy. He also poses a constant submission threat, averaging 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him dangerous in multiple phases of a fight.
Why it matters
- Pimblett sits sixth in the lightweight rankings, and a strong performance could push him further into title contention
- The matchup pits contrasting styles against each other and carries significant implications in a stacked division
- A win for either fighter would strengthen their case for a top-five opponent next
Elsewhere, journalist Ariel Helwani has reported that the UFC is working to arrange Max Holloway versus Conor McGregor for UFC 329, though that bout remains unconfirmed. Holloway, ranked fourth at lightweight and ninth in the pound-for-pound rankings, holds a 27-9 record at 34 years old. The Hawaiian is one of the sport's most prolific volume strikers, landing 7.2 significant strikes per minute.
Unconfirmed reports also indicate the UFC is pursuing Islam Makhachev against Ian Garry for UFC 330. Makhachev is the reigning welterweight champion, holds a 28-1 record, and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings. The 34-year-old Russian is a dominant wrestler averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands his strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate.
On a separate front, ONE Championship heavyweight champion Anatoly Malykhin publicly addressed reported UFC overtures, stating he will not leave the promotion out of loyalty. Malykhin said the organization supported him when others did not, and he would only consider departing if ONE Championship's leadership told him he was no longer wanted.
EA Sports also announced the cover athletes for UFC 6, with Alex Pereira featured on the base edition and Max Holloway on the deluxe edition.
Saturday, July 11, 2026
