As UFC Fight Night in Paris approaches this Saturday, September 28, 2024, all eyes are on the electrifying main event between Brazilian submission ace Renato Moicano and French sensation Benoît Saint Denis.
The event, held at the iconic Accor Arena, marks a pivotal moment for both lightweight fighters, but particularly for Saint Denis, who has the chance to secure a career-defining win in front of a passionate home crowd.
The Road to the Octagon
Renato Moicano:
Renato Moicano (17-5-1) enters this fight as a well-rounded veteran of the lightweight division. A black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with sharp Muay Thai skills, Moicano’s UFC tenure has seen him lock horns with some of the toughest names in the division, including former champions and rising contenders. Moicano, however, is coming off a layoff since his TKO loss to Rafael Fiziev in 2022 and a win over Brad Riddell at UFC 281 in late 2022, where he proved his submission prowess. Now, he is looking to reestablish himself among the top lightweights, and a win over an up-and-coming fighter like Saint Denis could do just that.
Benoît Saint Denis:
Benoît "God of War" Saint Denis (12-1, 1 NC) has quickly become one of France’s hottest MMA prospects. Since his UFC debut in 2021, Saint Denis has earned a reputation for his gritty fighting style and relentless pressure. His recent win over Ismael Bonfim at UFC on ESPN+ 90 earned him a lot of praise and his first Performance of the Night bonus. Riding a three-fight win streak, Saint Denis’ explosive submission game and ever-improving striking make him a tough matchup for anyone in the division. Fighting in front of a home crowd in Paris gives him an added boost, and the chance to catapult himself into title contention with a win over a seasoned veteran like Moicano.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Renato Moicano’s Strengths:
Submission Game: Moicano is a black belt in BJJ with nine submission victories. His ability to control opponents on the ground and find submissions, particularly the rear-naked choke, makes him a dangerous threat.
Striking Versatility: Moicano is not just a grappler. His Muay Thai-based striking allows him to fight at range and pick his shots, as seen in his bouts against Calvin Kattar and Cub Swanson.
Experience: Having fought elite competition, Moicano knows how to handle the pressure of high-stakes fights, giving him an edge in terms of octagon experience.
Weaknesses:
Durability: Moicano has shown vulnerability against power punchers, suffering knockout losses to Rafael Fiziev, Jose Aldo, and Chan Sung Jung. If Saint Denis can land heavy shots, it could spell trouble for the Brazilian.
Cardio in High-Pace Fights: While Moicano’s cardio isn’t weak, he has been outpaced in some of his losses, especially in wars of attrition. A high-pressure fighter like Saint Denis could exploit this if the fight drags on.
Benoît Saint Denis’ Strengths:
Relentless Pressure: Saint Denis is a high-pressure fighter, constantly moving forward and making his opponents uncomfortable. His forward-moving style puts opponents on the back foot, giving him opportunities to land strikes or transition to grappling.
Submission Skills: Like Moicano, Saint Denis is dangerous on the ground, with nine submission wins to his name. He excels at taking advantage of mistakes on the mat and could look to test Moicano’s grappling defense.
Home Advantage: Fighting in front of a French crowd will give Saint Denis extra motivation, as hometown support can provide an intangible edge.
Weaknesses:
Experience Gap: While Saint Denis has been impressive in his UFC run, he hasn’t faced the caliber of fighters that Moicano has. This lack of top-tier experience could show if Moicano is able to control the pace and dictate the action.
Striking Defense: Saint Denis has shown a tendency to absorb strikes as he presses forward. Against a sharp striker like Moicano, this could leave him open to counters, particularly with Moicano’s Muay Thai technique.
Fight Prediction
This fight is a classic clash of styles. Moicano’s submission expertise and striking versatility make him a formidable opponent, while Saint Denis’ relentless pressure and home-field advantage make him a dangerous wild card. The key for Moicano will be to manage the distance, use his reach, and pick apart Saint Denis from the outside. He’ll want to avoid prolonged grappling exchanges where Saint Denis thrives and instead look for openings to land strikes and potentially set up submissions.
On the other hand, Saint Denis will likely look to close the distance and engage Moicano in the clinch or take the fight to the ground, where his pressure and submission game can shine. If Saint Denis can force Moicano into a high-paced, grueling fight, his cardio and relentless style could give him the upper hand as the rounds progress.
In the end, the deciding factor may come down to who controls the pace of the fight. If Moicano can keep Saint Denis at bay and land significant strikes, he has the skills to win either by decision or submission. However, given the momentum, Saint Denis’ home advantage, and his upward trajectory, the edge may go to the Frenchman. He could overwhelm Moicano with his pressure and earn a submission or a late TKO in front of a roaring Parisian crowd.
This main event promises fireworks and could be a defining moment for both fighters as they vie for a place among the lightweight elite.