Benoit Saint Denis desires to restart his climb to the highest of the light-weight division, and is hoping to struggle twice on European soil in 2024.
The French light-weight, who just lately misplaced to Dustin Poirier at UFC 299, returned to competitors on Might 18 in his native Paris with a unanimous choice win over fellow UFC fighter Marc Diakiese in a grappling contest at ADXC 4. Talking with MMA Combating forward of the match, Saint Denis stated, “I need to keep energetic and I need to struggle as quickly as attainable.”
“I don’t know if it’s going to be [Manchester on July 27 at UFC 304], I don’t know if it’s going to be Paris [on Sept. 28],” Saint Denis stated. “However my supervisor is doing nice work, he’s working with the UFC to search out one of the best place for me to compete. And I need to climb the rankings and get on the prime. I really feel like I do belong there. … In my final struggle, I had a whole lot of stuff happening, however I’m extra decided than ever to turn into the champion. I must work lots and I’m able to do it. I’m on my method. I’m simply ready for the subsequent alternative.”
Saint Denis fought on the primary card of UFC Paris in 2023 and beat Thiago Moises by way of second-round TKO. He loves the thought of as soon as once more coming into the octagon in France.
“If I could be on each playing cards, I shall be on each playing cards,” Saint Denis stated. “If it’s going to be simply Paris, it’s nice as effectively. It’s an ideal alternative. I simply need to struggle. I simply need to present that I’m one of the best. And for that, I want a troublesome opponent. So I’m ready for the UFC to work with my supervisor to discover a matchup that everyone will need to see, and that may show who’s the subsequent future contender.”
Saint Denis completed 5 opponents in a row after chopping right down to light-weight earlier than his loss to Poirier. Now he desires UFC to throw the highest-ranked athlete attainable in entrance of him, so he can show he’s a drive to be reckoned with within the division.
“The names which are attention-grabbing to me probably the most are so as of the location: [Islam] Makhachev No. 1, [Arman] Tsarukyan No. 2, Justin Gaethje, Poirier, all these guys,” Saint Denis stated. “However, after all, it’s good to earn that. I’ll struggle anyone that the UFC goes to provide me, however I need to struggle as excessive as attainable.”
Poirier earned a shot at 155-pound champion Makhachev on June 1 at UFC 302 after his win over Saint Denis.
Saint Denis likes Poirier’s probabilities, however in the end sees Makhachev as the favourite to win.
“It’s an ideal struggle,” Saint Denis stated. “Dustin Poirier is a really composed and skilled fighter. I do imagine he has boxing on his aspect, however Makhachev may be very well-rounded. I do imagine he has watched my struggle in opposition to Poirier, in addition to Dustin’s struggle with [Charles] Olivera. All people is aware of what the sport plan goes to be. It’s going to be Makhachev attempting to submit Poirier, and Poirier attempting to knock out Makhachev.
“Makhachev [has] a bit extra choices. Makhachev can knock out or submit Poirier. However I see Poirier solely having the knockout win ultimately, and decision-wise, I additionally see Makhachev having the physicality to dominate the struggle if it goes lengthy. We’ll see who will win this struggle. It’s an attention-grabbing struggle anyway.”
