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UFC: a second defeat in a row for Benoit Saint-Denis

– With swollen eyes and a bloodied face, Benoit Saint-Denis suffered a second setback in a row, beaten on doctor’s orders by the Brazilian Renato Moicano, Saturday in Bercy during the main fight of UFC Paris.

Ciryl Gane and Manon Fiorot absent from the card, it was Benoît “God of War” Saint-Denis who played the role of star of the evening for the third visit to of the UFC, the largest and most prestigious league of ‘AMM to the world.

Despite the absence of the two best French fighters, the now annual meeting was still full, and the spectators, with Léon Marchand at the edge of the cage, once again electrified the Accor Arena.

But the party was spoiled for the 16,000 spectators at Bercy when the UFC doctor entered the cage just before the third round. After examining Saint-Denis, whose swollen face was covered in blood, he ended the hostilities, while the two fighters had each won a round.

Entering the stage shortly before midnight, the Frenchman, as usual, broke through the crowd at the Accor Arena to the sound of commando chants, a nod to his military past, and the emblematic “Seine-Saint-Denis Style” by NTM.

But the “Benoit!” Benoit! » from the public or even the Marseillaise started during the second round were not enough.

“I will come back stronger”

From the first moments, Nîmes was outrageously dominated. Pinned to the ground, the Brazilian’s strong point, he took numerous blows to the face, open in several places. Diminished but valiant, he still dominated the second round, but was then no longer able to resume the fight, unrecognizable under his blistered eyelids.

“Unfortunately, I was a little sleepy in the first round,” admitted Saint-Denis. “He did what he had to do to create enough damage. Sorry about that, I’ll come back stronger, I’m sorry and well done to him. »

Saint-Denis, 12th among lightweights before the fight, suffered a second defeat in a row and the third of his UFC career.

However, he had to win to resume his journey in the lightweight category, six months after a defeat by KO. against the legend Dustin Poirier. Reduced by a staphylococcus infection, “BSD” then suffered a first setback by losing by KO. in the second round, when he remained on five victories.

At 28 years old and after meteoric progress in mixed martial arts, the Frenchman has established himself as one of the French stars of the discipline, but will now have to redeem himself to resume his path in the category.

A few moments earlier, Nassourdine Imavov, scheduled for the semi-final, had beaten the American Brendan Allen. The “Sniper”, ranked fourth in the world, was unanimously declared the winner of the judges 29 to 28 against Allen (8th).

Imavov, who was competing in his third fight in seven months, won a third consecutive victory against a member of the top-10after two other convincing successes against Jared Cannonier and Roman Dolidze.

He now hopes to be offered a chance for the world belt, currently held by South African Dricus Du Plessis.

UFC Gala
Fighters Category Result
Renato Moicano c. Benoît Saint-Denis Light weights Moicana by technical knockout at 5:00 of the 2nd round
Nassourdine Imavov c. Brendan Allen Middleweights Imavov by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28 and 29-28)
William Gomis c. Joanderson Brito Featherweights Gomis by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Kevin Jousset v. Bryan Battle Welterweight Battle by KO. technical at 3:47 of the 2nd round
Morgan Charrière c. Gabriel Miranda Featherweights Charrière by K.-O. at 0:27 of the 2nd round
Fares ZIam c. Matt Frevola Light weights Zlam by K.-O. at 2:59 of the 3rd round
Ion Cutebala c. Ivan Erslan Light heavyweight Cutelaba by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Oumar Sy c. Jung Da Un Light heavyweight Sy by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ludovit Klein c. Roosevelt Roberts Light weights Klein by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Taylor Lapilus c. Vince Morales Bantamweight Lapilus by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ailin Perez c. Dariya Zheleznykova Women’s bantamweight Perez by submission at 3:52 of the 1st round
Daniel Barez c. Victor Altamirano Flyweight Barez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Nora Cornolle c. Jacqueline Cavalcanti Women’s bantamweight Cavalcanti by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Bolaji Oki c. Chris Duncan Light weights Duncan by submission at 3:34 of the 1st round
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