Tag: Benoit Saint Denis

Put to his absolute limit once more tonight in the co-main event of UFC 299, former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has snapped the winning run of French standout, Benoit Saint Denis — turning in a spectacular second round KO win over the Nimes native to retain his status amongst the lightweight elite.

Poirier, a former interim lightweight champion, had been sidelined since July of last year, suffering a hellacious second round high-kick KO loss to two-time foe, Justin Gaethje in the pair’s symbolic BMF championship fight in Salt Lake City.

And forced to rally tonight in Miami, Florida, Poirier walked through considerable adversity in the pair’s lightweight co-headliner — finding himself almost submitted on numerous occasions, as well as taking his fair share of punishment on the feet.

However, once more escaping a rear-naked choke attempt in the second, Poirier landed a bruising right uppercut in the pocket close to the fence, before cleaning Saint Denis and sending him to the canvas hard with a massive right hook counter.

Below, catch the highlights from from Dustin Poirier’s UFC 299 win over Benoit Saint-Denis

UFC lightweight Benoit Saint-Denis appears to have a staph infection just days out from his UFC 299 co-main event fight with Dustin Poirier.

As part of his media duties, Saint-Denis has been subjected to numerous interviews and photoshoots which has meant his face has been front and centre for all to see. Why would that be a problem? Well, it appears the Frenchman has picked up a skin infection, on his face. 

Numerous fighters and fans would point out the possible infection via social media, but there has been no response from either Saint-Denis or his team to this point. There has also been no comment from the UFC, but it will likely get brought up at some point this week.

Benoit Saint-Denis’ condition called into question

While not the most serious case, the almost crater-like appearance does suggest that Saint-Denis has a staph infection, which is common for MMA fighters. Staph infections are caused by a bacteria called staphylococcus and is often picked up through close skin-on-skin contact and can flare up from something as small as a graze or ingrown hair. It will require at the very least antibiotics and often is nothing too serious, but more severe cases can result in hospitalisation and even death. 

With small skin infections, fighters will sometimes try and enter a fight, particularly if it is one of the magnitude of Saint-Denis’ upcoming clash. Not only can this put Benoit Saint-Denis’ opponent, Dustin Poirier, at risk by giving it through direct contact, but infectious bacteria can also be left on the canvas leaving the rest of the night’s fighters the possibility of also picking it up. 

It can also have an impact on an athlete’s performance and can leave fighters feeling weak, slow and with a depleted gas tank. 

How do you think the possible staph infection will impact Benoit Saint-Denis come fight night?

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has admitted nerves are setting to set him for him ahead of his return to the Octagon against the highly-touted, Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 this weekend – claiming a potential retirement for him come could in the not too distant future.

Poirier, a former interim lightweight titleholder and the current number three ranked divisional contender, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 291 back in July of last year, suffering a devastating loss to two-time foe, Justin Gaethje.

Competing for the symbolic BMF title, Poirier dropped a stunning second round high-kick KO loss to his fellow former interim champion – in what came as just his second knockout loss since his lightweight divisional move back in 2015. 

Dustin Poirier admits nerves ahead of UFC 299

Co-headlining the above-mentioned Nimes native, Saint-Denis in a five round clash this weekend in Miami, Florida, American Top Team staple, Poirier admitted that nerves are starting to settle in ahead of his ‘Sunshine State’ comeback – claiming he’s fighting to see if he still has “it”. 

“[I’m fighting Benoit Saint-Denis] to test myself really – to see if I’ve still got it,” Dustin Poirier told TMZ Sports ahead of UFC 299. “This guy is young, hungry, on a streak, finished his last five opponents – that makes me nervous, so I want to toss myself in the fire.”

“That’s where I feel like I do my best work, and thoses are the kinds of fighters I want to fight – guys who are leaving it all out there, showing grit – they fight for finishes. That’s the kind of fight I want to be involved in. Every fight could be ‘it’ – every fight. Where I’m at, 35 years old, this is my thirtieth fight in the UFC – every fight could be it.”

Who wins at UFC 299 this weekend: Dustin Poirier or Benoit Saint-Denis?