A clash between ranked UFC lightweights Renato Moicano and Benoît Saint Denis is set for the promotion’s return to France.
After two successful events in Paris thus far, the European nation with a growing passion for mixed martial arts just a few years on from its legalization there will get another visit from the Octagon in 2024.
On September 28, the UFC will be back at Accor Arena for a UFC Fight Night card, with many of France’s own expected to make the walk.
While not much has been announced regarding a main event or undercard, it appears that one of the country’s leading names has his spot on the lineup confirmed.
Ag. Fight first reported that #12-ranked Saint Denis was being lined up to share the cage with the #10-ranked Moicano in front of his home fans. The Brazilian outlet’s report was later confirmed by MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin.
A subsequent report from MMA Junkie revealed that the matchup is slated for five rounds.
Renato Moicano vs Benoit Saint Denis in the works for #UFCParis in September, per multiple sources. First reported by @AgFight https://t.co/CxvP44RFy4
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) June 28, 2024
Moicano Looks To Continue Momentum From UFC 300, Send Saint Denis On Losing Skid
With this bout reportedly official in the coming days, Moicano and Saint Denis will be preparing for their clash off the back of vastly different results.
Moicano (19-5-1) has had a strong year to date, first returning from a lengthy injury layoff by outpointing Drew Dober at the Apex in February. The Brazilian subsequently made the most of a spot on the milestone UFC 300 card in April, knocking out Jalin Turner after “The Tarantula” failed to capitalize on an earlier knockdown.
Having won three straight since a short-notice main event loss to Rafael dos Anjos in 2022, Moicano is looking to climb the 155-pound ladder into title contention. And although he’ll be fighting down the pecking order in September, his opponent is a highly regarded up-and-comer.
Saint Denis (13-2, 1 NC) won five straight in his natural weight class following a UFC debut defeat to Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. That run included a violent head kick finish of Matt Frevola at UFC 295 last November. The Frenchman was then granted a major chance to impress against former interim champion and veteran top five contender Dustin Poirier.
Despite a strong start at UFC 299 in Miami this past March, “God of War” faded in the second round and was stopped on the feet by “The Diamond,” a result he put down to the antibiotics used to combat a pre-fight staph infection.
