UFC Fight Night in Paris! Renato Moicano vs Benoît Saint Denis
The event is currently happening but Saint Denis and Moicano themselves don't fight for a little while yet. I'm pretty intrigued by this main event. Pretty perfect matchup for both men in the lightweight division. Both are creeping just outside of the top ten. Moicano #11 and Saint Denis #12.
Moicano is a proven very well rounded fighter who I believe is a dark horse for a championship one day. Although he is 35 so he better get moving up the ranks. I wish he was slightly faster in general but he isn't too slow. He's just a good fighter. What I like about Moicano is his evolution as a fighter. He was always solid in all phases of the sport, but I think over the years he's gained a ton of grit and toughness and has gotten a bit smarter as well.
I remember Moicano as a good featherweight a few years ago. He had a particularly fantastic fight against Brian Ortega back in 2017. But after struggling a bit he decided to move up to lightweight. It has proved to be a good choice because since 2020, 'Money' Moicano is 6-2 at lightweight including a current three fight win streak. I sense Moicano may be in his prime.
I've also loved Moicano's post fight speeches and his podcast is pretty good too. His English has improved massively throughout the years. He talks about beer, steaks, and getting money for his family. Pretty wholesome and funny!
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Saint Denis on the other hand is a a very different point in his career. Denis is fighting in his home country of France. A country he loves very much and wants to make proud. Denis was a very high level member of the military in France. The guy has been to and knows war. His toughness is unquestioned. Good athlete too of course.
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Denis faces his second toughest fight of his life in Paris tonight, right after his toughest when he lost by knockout to MMA legend Dustin Poirier. Big year for Denis, sheesh. I'm intrigued if Denis has learned from the Dustin fight and will be less reckless and/or use his gas tank in a different manner. Denis is SEVEN years younger than Moicano which statistically is an advantage for him.
I think Moicano has got this one. I hope he does to be honest! I will be impressed and surprised though if Denis does win. That would be interesting for him and the division as a whole. There was a lot of hype surrounding Denis. A win over Moicano would not restore that hype, but it would be big.
This is a fun matchup for the UFC's first event this autumn!
