The UFC returns to Paris on Saturday, September 28, for a UFC Fight Night event at the Accor Arena.
- Main Event Fighters: Renato Moicano vs. Benoit Saint Denis
- Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
- Location: Accor Arena in Paris, France
- Time: Prelims (12:00 p.m. ET), Main Card (3:00 p.m. ET)
- How to Watch: ESPN+
The main event features a crucial lightweight bout between Renato Moicano and Benoit Saint Denis, both ranked in the UFC’s lightweight division.
Moicano, ranked No. 11, faces off against the No. 12 fighter, Saint Denis.
Renato Moicano (19-5-1): +225
Moicano enters this fight riding a three-fight winning streak after suffering a loss to former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in 2022. His most recent victory was a TKO win over Jalin Turner in April.
Known for his exceptional submission skills, Moicano has secured 10 submission victories in his career alongside eight decision wins. Three of his losses have come via knockout, while the other two were from submission and decision.
Moicano is a well-rounded fighter, combining excellent grappling with solid technical striking. He maintains a high pace in his fights, landing significant strikes in volume and controlling the range effectively. A majority of his strikes target the head, and he’s known to throw his jab frequently to manage distance.
However, Moicano's chin has been questioned, as he has been knocked out three times during his UFC career. He absorbs 3.68 significant strikes per minute while landing 4.38, meaning he gets hit fairly often. His accuracy is 48%, and he has a solid takedown defense at 72%.
Benoit Saint Denis (13-2-0-1): -265
Saint Denis enters this fight coming off a knockout loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 299, which ended his five-fight UFC winning streak. Prior to that loss, he made a statement by defeating Matt Frevola in 91 seconds with a head kick knockout. Saint Denis, a dangerous striker and grappler, has finished all his victories either by knockout or submission.
Saint Denis is an aggressive fighter who constantly pressures his opponents, backing them up against the fence before unleashing flurries of strikes. While dangerous, his defense can be inconsistent, as he absorbs 4.98 significant strikes per minute and only defends at a 42% rate. He also averages 4.76 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat in both striking and grappling.
However, Saint Denis sometimes leaves openings for counters, dropping his guard when he feels in control, and his plodding footwork can make him an easy target in the open.
Head To Head Fighter Statistics
| Renato Moicano | Fighter | Benoît Saint Denis |
| 19-5-1 | Record | 13-2-0 |
| 5' 11" | Height | 5' 11" |
| 156 lbs | Weight | 155 lbs |
| 72" | Reach | 73" |
| Orthodox | Stance | Southpaw |
| 4.38 | Sig Strk LPM | 5.70 |
| 54.89 | Sig Strk Acc | 62.71 |
| 1.89 | Takedown Average | 4.76 |
| 45.24 | Takedown Accuracy | 37.21 |
| 0.60 | Submission Average | 1.49 |
The outcome of this fight largely depends on how Benoit Saint Denis rebounds from his loss to Dustin Poirier. Saint Denis is known for fast starts, but Moicano has shown resilience, as evidenced by his comeback win over Jalin Turner.