Paddy Pimblett vs Benoit Saint-Denis is reportedly being targeted for UFC 329, with the fight potentially serving as an appetiser to Conor McGregor’s comeback.
UFC 329 will take place at in Las Vegas on 11 July, and The Independent understands that McGregor could end his five-year absence from the cage by headlining the event at T-Mobile Arena.
The card is also due to feature the UFC debut of Olympic-champion wrestler Gable Steveson, and now it seems that “Paddy The Baddy” vs “BSD” could be added, too.
The news was first reported by Eurosport, and The Independent has approached a representative of each fighter for comment.
Pimblett last fought in January, when the Liverpudlian suffered his first loss in the UFC. Pimblett, 31, was comprehensively outpointed by Justin Gaethje, who became a two-time interim lightweight champion with the win, setting up a White House clash with Ilia Topuria – an old rival of Pimblett.
One week after the Scouser’s loss to Gaethje, Saint-Denis secured a second-round TKO of Dan Hooker, another lightweight with whom Pimblett has traded barbs.
Pimblett vs Saint-Denis, a potential meeting of No 6 vs No 5 at 155lb, would likely play out as an all-action affair, given both men’s penchants for brawls.
Saint-Denis, a former member of the French special air service, has a 17-3 professional record and has earned all of his wins via stoppage – six via KO/TKO; 11 via submission.
Coincidentally, Pimblett also has six KO/TKO wins and 11 submissions, while his overall record stands at 23-4.
It is unclear whether Pimblett vs Saint-Denis, 28, would serve as the co-main event of UFC 329, although it would seem likely, especially if McGregor returns in the main event.
The former dual-weight champion last fought in 2021, suffering a broken leg in his second consecutive loss to Dustin Poirier. McGregor was targeting a spot on the unprecedented White House card on 14 June, but UFC president Dana White was always coy on that prospect, before talk turned to a possible UFC 329 slot.
It is unclear whom McGregor, 37, would face at UFC 329, but The Independent understands it would be an active fighter with a strong profile.
