Nick Peet | UFC Paris: Moicano vs Saint Denis

TWO of the most dynamic and exciting, fresh contenders in the UFC’s effervescent lightweight division collide in Paris, France on Saturday, with the UK’s Paddy Pimblett a keen observer.

Brazilian Renato Moicano travels to face local hero Benoit Saint Denis at the Accor Arena in a style match-up that quite simply cannot miss.

Both are extremely talented grapplers and aggressive, pour forward heavy artillery strikers that like to take chances to open up opportunities.

And with a likely showdown with Liverpool sensational Paddy ‘The Baddy’ awaiting the victor, the stakes couldn’t be higher under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

MONEY MOICANO

Moicano’s 19-5-1 record features 11 finishes, dominated by 10 submissions, but his last performance truly reflects the steady improvement in his striking that’s proven crucial to his recent form.

With just one defeat in his last six – typically, that loss was against a former UFC champion – the 35-year-old has climbed the division the hard way; one scalp at a time.

At UFC 300 in April, Moicano climbed to #11 with a ground ‘n’ pound TKO of the heavily-avoided Jalin Turner, despite underdog status, setting up this weekend’s delectable main event.

Renato Moicano (+220) brings a 3 fight win streak into this weekend’s matchup against Benoît Saint Denis.Since his 2022 return to Lightweight, he has remained unbeaten, and recently cashed at (-115) vs Jalin Turner – a fight that I faded him heavily in.QUESTION: If Money… pic.twitter.com/hpfs4AIGJQ

— I AM SATURDAY (@I_AM_SATURDAY) September 24, 2024

GOD OF WAR

Saint Denis, 28, slipped to #12 after losing his first scheduled five-rounder, albeit to leading perennial contender Dustin Poirer, at UFC 299 in March.

But he did pick up his fourth UFC performance bonus in the process, cementing his position as a fan favourite both at home and overseas.

The 13-2 southpaw, a decorated former French Army Special Forces officer no less, boasts four knockouts and nine submissions since turning to MMA full-time just five years ago.

Benois’ Octagon stats back up his stand-up arsenal too. He has the best striking differential in UFC lightweight history (3.34 > 1) and ranks third in significant strike accuracy (58.4%).

Squeaky clean headkick 🧼🤯Benoit Saint-Denis is back inside the Octagon in this weekend's headliner!📺📱 #UFCParis | Live Sunday on ESPN and @UFCFightPass pic.twitter.com/BvCI8eZquF

— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) September 24, 2024

MATCHMAKING HEAVEN

On the ground is where both men are at their most menacing, yet they’re so evenly matched it’s impossible to predict who will come out on top, literally and figuratively.

When it comes to control time, top position and even bottom position advantages, both feature heavily on the lightweight division’s top 10 lists.

Saint Denis boasts an awesome average fight time in the Octagon of just five minutes 54 seconds, but he only made the walk six times. Moicano is 16 UFC appearances in.

The Brazilian made his UFC debut in 2014, five years before Benois had his first fight, and he’s changed weight classes and faced a handful of former champions and top contenders along the way.

Moicano’s experience is certainly a factor here, but he’s really come into his own recently and started to connect with fans through his podcast, performances and post-fight interviews.

Both have genuine star power; both have thrilling, balls to the wall striking; and both have ground game’s capable of snatching necks and cashing cheques.

This main event is a Fight of the Year contender, every day of the week.

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