Middleweight who scored epic 41-second KO on debut set to join Paddy Pimblett on UFC 329 card

Brazilian middleweight Ryan Gandra has been booked to fight Zach Reese at UFC 329.

According to MMA Junkie, Gandra will continue the momentum from his emphatic UFC debut two months ago by facing the Texas man on the International Fight Week card.

Getty

Getty

‘Problema’ punched his ticket to the UFC through Dana White‘s Contender Series in 2025.

The 30-year-old, who is 9-1 in his professional MMA career, knocked out Trent Miller in the first round.

His first fight in White’s promotion then came at UFC Mexico City in February, where Lone’er Kavanagh silenced the crowd with a brilliant win over former champion Brandon Moreno.

Gandra faced Jose Medina and made easy work of the Bolivian fighter, stopping him with a flurry of thunderous punches less than one minute into the bout.

Reese, meanwhile, lost a split decision to Michel Pereira in his last fight at UFC Houston.

He made his UFC debut in 2023 and has won four of his seven fights in the promotion, with one no contest.

Who else is fighting at UFC 329?

UFC 329 is set to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 11.

Newly signed heavyweight star Gable Steveson is the only fighter to be officially announced to feature.

However, it’s been all but confirmed that Paddy Pimblett will make his return at UFC 329.

‘The Baddy’ unsuccessfully challenged for the interim UFC lightweight title in January, suffering a unanimous decision loss to Justin Gaethje, who now fights Ilia Topuria in a unification fight at UFC White House in June.

Getty

Getty

Pimblett has said he’s already started a 12-week training camp to come back for the International Fight Week card.

Benoit Saint Denis, who is one spot above him in the lightweight rankings, is set to be announced as Pimblett’s opponent.

Elsewhere, reports earlier this month indicated Cory Sandhagen vs Mario Bautista 2 has been booked for UFC 329.

Conor McGregor has also been linked to make his return at the same event.

Max Holloway is the favourite to welcome the Irishman back to the promotion, although nothing has been announced yet.

“It’s looking good,” White said of McGregor’s return at UFC Winnipeg this month, where Gilbert Burns ended his illustrious career.

UFC Schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.

“Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.”