Count former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier among those incredibly excited for this weekend’s main event in Paris.
For the third straight year, mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is staging an event in the French capital in September. While the first two following the 2020 legalization of the sport in the European nation saw Ciryl Gane as the main attraction, Saturday’s card will be topped by a different French standout.
Headlining inside the Accor Arena on September 29 is rising lightweight Benoît Saint Denis. “God of War” is returning to the cage after having his surge up the ladder stalled by top-five contender Dustin Poirier in Miami this past March.
While Saint Denis started strong, the effects of a pre-fight staph infection appeared to hinder his gas tank and result in a knocking triumph for “The Diamond.”
To get back to the kind of violent success he experienced before running into Poirier, the Frenchman must get past Renato Moicano. The #11-ranked contender has gotten the better of Drew Dober and Jalin Turner since returning from an injury layoff this year.
The clash looks set to be an enthralling one, going down amid the usual electric atmosphere seen at MMA events in Paris. And in terms of the main event matchup, one former fighter-turned-color commentator doesn’t think there’s been much better for a UFC Fight Night in a while…
Cormier Excited To Watch Moicano vs. Saint Denis At Often Skipped UFC Fight Night
During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Cormier looked ahead to the upcoming UFC Fight Night card in France.
“DC” gave props to both men for their skillsets and recent outings inside the Octagon, suggesting they’re likely to come together to put on an entertaining affair in Saturday’s main event.
And despite admitting that he often chooses against watching the UFC Fight Night cards he isn’t commentating on, Cormier insisted he would not miss this one.
“(Moicano’s) got a tough one against Benoît Saint Denis, who also fought well against Dustin,” Cormier said. “I think this is going to be a fantastic fight, and I do believe this is one of the better main events for a Fight Night that we’ve had in a really long time.
“I’m watching it. Honestly, a lot of Saturdays when I’m at home, I choose other things to do. I go watch football, I go play — I do something,” Cormier continued. “Saturday night, I’m tapping into this one because I’ve got to watch Renato Moicano and Benoît Saint Denis fight.”
With all eyes on their crucial lightweight showdown, Moicano and Saint Denis will look to prove Cormier right unleashing fireworks when they share the cage inside the Accor Arena in a few days’ time.
We’ve touched down in the City of Love!
#UFCParis is just 5 days away!
[ LIVE on @ESPNPlus | 3pmET/12pmPT ] pic.twitter.com/g4oRfPvNBd
— UFC (@ufc) September 23, 2024
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