This Saturday, UFC Paris 3 took place at the Accor Arena in Bercy with nine French fighters scheduled on pay-per-view basis. The first victory for the Frenchies was offered by Taylor Lapilus, winner by unanimous decision over Vince Morales.
French fans have been waiting for this event for a year. This weekend, the UFC set up shop in Paris for a third edition. At the Accor Arena in Bercy, nine French fighters were scheduled on the pay-per-view basis, including Benoît Saint Denis in the main event. And to inspire his compatriots, Taylor Lapilus offered the first French victory of the evening, in demonstration over Vince Morales.
The first for Taylor Lapilus
Under a superb Marseillaise, the 32-year-old fighter delivered a masterclass in the first round, facing an opponent who seemed overwhelmed in the cage. The rest of the fight was perfectly managed by the Frenchman, ahead in terms of statistics. Dominant over all three rounds, Taylor Lapilus logically raised his arms, winning by unanimous decision (30-27).
Oumar Sy, still undefeated
Inspired by his compatriot, Oumar Sy took over perfectly by winning, also by unanimous decision, his fight against the Korean Da Un Jung. The Frenchman, aged 28, is the great French hope of the UFC and confirmed it this Saturday in Bercy. With this victory, his eleventh career, the light heavyweight fighter remains undefeated and continues his path towards the belt. Which was well worth a new Marseillaise in Paris.
Farès Ziam, the knockout of the evening
The national anthem continued to ring out in Paris. And when Farès Ziam entered the cage to challenge Matt Frevola, the serious things began. Facing the American, former opponent of the star of this UFC Paris, Benoît Saint Denis, the 27-year-old French hope offered the knockout of the evening.
Opposed to a former member of the top 15, the French fighter did not tremble, on the contrary. Dominant throughout the fight, he finished the former rival of “God of War”, something he had never managed to do in the UFC. And in what way. With a terrifying knee to the face, he sent the American to the ground to score his first knockout.
Morgan Charrière, repeat
The fighter will have shown the way to his compatriot Morgan Charrière. Already present at UFC Paris last year, “The Last Pirate” returned with the same ambitions this Saturday in Bercy. Completely in control in his fight against Gabriel Miranda, he did not wait for the third round to extinguish his opponent.
After logically dominating the first round, the 28-year-old Frenchman pushed the Brazilian to make a mistake, an offering for Morgan Charrière. After a final duel to the body, “The Last Pirate” finished Gabriel Miranda with a left hook. Enough to exult a second time, like last year during UFC Paris 2. Bercy will start to get used to his knockouts.
Kevin Jousset, first failure
On the other hand, for Kevin Jousset, it is disillusionment. Unknown to the French public, having gone to fight in Australia, the 31-year-old fighter came to Paris to win over the French supporters. But we will have to wait a little longer. Against Bryan Battle, he only lasted two rounds.
Overwhelmed by his opponent’s attacks, the Frenchman ended up giving in and falling under the blows of the American. A disappointing first in France for someone who holds two belts, in two categories, in Australia.
Willian Gomis, power 4
But to make Bercy vibrate again, who else than William Gomis. While everyone saw him losing against Joanderson Brito, the French fighter made everyone agree by doing Gomis. Once again, he claimed his victory by split decision. A small feat.
“The Jaguar” now has four UFC victories in as many fights. In front of his audience, he made everyone agree and proved that the American MMA organization could count on him. William Gomis now demands Diego Lopes.
Nassourdine Imavov, first Frenchman with the belt?
Highly anticipated for the co-main event, French MMA fighter Nassourdine Imavov did not disappoint. Facing the American Brendan Allen, he did not fall into the trap and showed the UFC that he could claim the belt in the -84 kg category.
The “Sniper” was taken to the ground after a few seconds of combat and then struggled to get out of his opponent’s grip throughout the first round. But he then showed his qualities to gain the upper hand in the last two rounds. Imavov, who was competing in his third fight in seven months, thus won a third consecutive victory against a member of the Top 10, after two other convincing successes against Jared Cannonier and Roman Dolidze.
Terrible disillusionment for “God of War”
On the other hand, the Parisian evening did not end on a good note. The main event of the evening between Benoît Saint Denis and Renato Moicano quickly turned to the Brazilian’s advantage. While “God of War” came to relaunch, six months after his defeat by KO against Dustin Poirier, he quickly became disillusioned against an opponent more than determined to cool down the Parisian enclosure.
With puffy eyes and a bloody face, Benoît Saint Denis was arrested by the doctor at the end of the second round even though the two fighters had each won a round. A disillusionment for the one who promised war in the cage. Will the hype end?
