It’s now official, Benoît Saint-Denis has entered the top 15 of the UFC lightweight category. Winner this Saturday in New York against the American Matt Frevola following a superb KO after only 1′31″ of fighting, the Frenchman even occupies 11th position in this ranking, tied with Jalin Turner. With Manon Fiorot, Ciryl Gane and Nassourdine Imavov, he is now the fourth Habs to be ranked in the UFC (only the champion and fifteen fighters per category appear in the rankings).
This progression was inevitable. Impressive for several months and put in the spotlight by the American league during this evening at Madison Square Garden, the Nîmes knew that he had a unique opportunity by facing Matt Frevola, then 14th in the lightweight category. And “God of War” didn’t miss a beat, defeating his opponent with a perfect kick that hit his brow bone. “Benoît Saint-Denis beat the 14th easily, he made it easy,” noted Dana White, the president of the UFC, after the evening. He will perhaps move up to 10th in the rankings on Tuesday. That would be a big breakthrough, but maybe it will be. »
???????????? OLALALA INCREDIBLE!!! BENOIT SAINT DENIS TURNED OFF MAT FREVOLA IN THE FIRST ROUND!!
???????????? HE AIR CONDITIONS THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN pic.twitter.com/4XfjFfYD1R
— RMC Sport Combat (@RMCSportCombat) November 12, 2023
The Frenchman is finally in 11th place this Tuesday. Currently enjoying a well-deserved vacation in New York, where he was seen attending a Knicks NBA game, the fighter will then look ahead to his next deadline. How can he climb further and get closer to the championship belt he so desires? The possibilities are not numerous. Because among the first twelve (with the champion), ten are too well ranked, already scheduled for a fight or injured. All that remains is the Pole Mateusz Gamrot, 6th, whom Benoît Saint-Denis has declared he wants to face, or the American Jalin Turner, with whom he is tied.
“I would like to do a big main event in France”
The date and location of his next fight are still unknown. After fighting three times in a little over four months, the Frenchman wants to take a little breather before resuming, probably towards the end of the first quarter of 2024. But, as was the case for this fight against Matt Frevola, a nice proposal could thwart his plans.
The possibility of a fight in France is also open. “I think we can come to France and put Benoît Saint-Denis at the head of a card there,” Dana White announced at a press conference. A proposal that pleases the Nîmes, who explained that he had heard of a new UFC event in France in March 2024. “I would like to do a big main event in France, we could then have two UFCs, one in the Province and the other in Paris (in September), he asked after his victory. Maybe in Bordeaux, it’s not very far from where I live (in Bayonne) and it’s a big city. It would be sold out straight away, I can assure you. »
No matter the location, the ambitions of “God of War” are very high. As he had already announced after his victory in Paris on September 2, Benoît Saint-Denis feels ready to face the big names in his category like Dustin Poirier or Justin Gaethje. It is now up to Guillaume Peltier, the Frenchman’s manager, to find the best opportunity.
