Paddy Pimblett and Max Holloway linked up and shook hands backstage following their respective victories at UFC 329. Holloway expressed his excitement, saying "That was sick," while Pimblett offered a grateful "Thank you very much."
Two of lightweight's most recognizable faces crossed paths backstage at UFC 329, with Paddy Pimblett and Max Holloway exchanging a handshake and a few words following their respective wins on the July 11 card.
Holloway, ranked fourth in the lightweight division and ninth on the pound-for-pound list, kept his reaction simple, telling Pimblett "That was sick." The 34-year-old Hawaiian carries a 28-9 record and fights out of Gracie Technics. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 69-inch reach, he is one of the division's most prolific volume strikers, averaging 6.92 significant strikes landed per minute at 48 percent accuracy.
Pimblett, ranked sixth at lightweight, was equally warm in the exchange, responding with "Thank you very much." The 31-year-old from Liverpool holds a 24-4 record and competes out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool. At five-foot-ten, he carries a notably long 73-inch reach for the division and blends striking — landing 5.48 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy — with a persistent grappling game that produces 1.4 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Both fighters picked up wins on the same night, keeping them relevant in a competitive lightweight top ten
- Holloway at four and Pimblett at six occupy positions where one more strong performance could push either toward a top-three conversation
- The brief exchange highlights the mutual respect between two fighters who draw significant fan interest and whose paths in the division could eventually intersect inside the octagon
Saturday, July 11, 2026
