news-details

UFC Fight Night prediction — Renato Moicano vs. Benoit Saint Denis: Fight card, odds, start time, live stream

UFC Fight Night takes over Accor Arena in Paris on Saturday with a dynamite lightweight main event. Renato Moicano and Benoit Saint Denis are two of the division’s more reliable finishers, and they look to make a play for the official UFC top 10 on Saturday.

Moicano (19-5-1) has been a UFC fighter for 10 years, but he’s recently become a success story. Moicano’s active three-fight winning streak is the best since his first three fights with the promotion, and it’s coming against arguably better competition. Moicano found success not only in his performances but also with his voice. “Money” Moicano’s explosive and expletive-filled post-fight speeches have made him a hit among regular mixed martial arts viewers.

Saint Denis (13-2, 1 NC) is the first French fighter not named Ciryl Gane to headline a UFC card in Paris. “The God of War” is true to his nickname, winning all his fights by stoppage. Saint Denis rode a five-fight win streak to the biggest opportunity of his career, fighting former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier in the co-main event of UFC 299. Saint Denis performed well in Round 1 but succumbed to a knockout blow in Round 2. Saint Denis, who fought Poirier with a staph infection, learned valuable lessons in defeat.

Check out the full interview with Benoit Saint Denis.

UFC Fight Night’s co-main event also features a home team player. France’s Nassourdine Imavov (14-4, 1 NC) rocketed to UFC’s No. 4 middleweight ranking by knocking out Jared Cannonier, a call many deemed an early stoppage. Imavov can strengthen his case for a middleweight title shot by turning back Brendan Allen (24-5). Allen is on a seven-win run with five submissions but lost some steam after winning a split decision against short-notice replacement Chris Curtis in April. Allen currently sits at No. 8 in the division and doesn’t believe Imavov deserves his No. 4 ranking.

Below is the rest of the fight card for Saturday with the latest odds before we get to a prediction and pick on the main event.

UFC Fight Night card, odds

Benoit Saint Denis -290 Renato Moicano +235 Lightweight Nassourine Imavov -210 Brendan Allen +175 Middleweight Joanderson Brito -300 William Gomis +240 Featherweight Bryan Battle -160 Kevin Jousset +135 Welterweight Morgan Charriere -700 Gabriel Miranda +500 Featherweight Fares Ziam -125 Matt Frevola +105 Lightweight

UFC Fight Night viewing information

Date: Sept. 28 | Start time: 3 p.m. ET (main card)

Location: Accor Arena — Paris

TV channel: ESPN+

Prediction

Renato Moicano vs. Benoit Saint Denis: Saint Denis’ stubborn defensive gaps should prevent him from being an elite lightweight, but it’ll likely overwhelm Moicano. Saint Denis fights like the Tasmanian Devil, a nonstop whirlwind of a force. Saint Denis pairs crushing power punches with relentless wrestling and solid submissions. The combination makes him a finishing threat at nearly all times. While his 42% striking defense cost him against Poirier, Moicano’s striking isn’t quite at that level. Moicano is one of the top lightweight submission players with good striking defense. Saint Denis and Moicano have advantages in striking and jiu-jitsu respectively, but Saint Denis’ advantage is a bigger immediate threat. How effectively wrestling is used could be a determining factor, but I suspect Moicano’s imperfect chin will be his downfall at age 35. Saint Denis via KO2

Related Posts
Advertisements
Market Overview
Top US Stocks
Cryptocurrency Market