Renato Moicano Defeats Benoît Saint-Denis at UFC Paris

Renato Moicano emerged victorious over French fighter Benoît Saint-Denis at the UFC Paris event, held on September 29, 2024. The fight, which was highly anticipated among mixed martial arts (MMA) fans, saw the Brazilian defeating Saint-Denis by doctor stoppage due to severe eye injuries sustained during the bout.

Moicano expressed satisfaction with the decision to halt the fight, stating, “I was very happy with the doctor’s decision, as I am paid for victories, not rounds. The sooner I finish, the better it is.” He acknowledged the toughness of Saint-Denis, mentioning, “I respect Benoît Saint-Denis a lot and what he has accomplished in this division. He’s a strong fighter but needs to work on his game.”

The bout was held at the Accor Arena, with 16,000 spectators in attendance. Despite an initially disappointing performance, Saint-Denis managed to show resilience. He dominated the second round before being deemed unable to continue by the medical team due to facial injuries, which left his face bloodied and his eyes swollen.

Benoît Saint-Denis, who entered the fight with high expectations, had remarked on his slow start, saying, “Unfortunately, I was a bit asleep in the first round,” noting Moicano’s effective damage. The Frenchman, who was presented as “God of War Saint-Denis,” promised to return stronger to his fans.

Moicano invited his defeated opponent to join his training sessions to help him improve his fighting skills, stating, “We can grow together. I have a lot of respect for Benoît Saint-Denis, and I hope he listens to me.” However, the offer may remain unaccepted as tensions also included heated comments against French political figures during the post-fight press conference.

Elsewhere in the event, Nassourdine Imavov secured a victory over his American opponent Brendan Allen, adding to the French excitement of the night. Imavov, known as “The Sniper,” secured his third consecutive win against a top-ten contender in the middleweight division.

Post-fight, Imavov confidently hinted at his aspirations for a title shot, stating, “I’ve had three fights in seven months, all against top 10 opponents. I believe I deserve a title shot.” Current champion Dricus Du Plessis may soon face a formidable challenger.