Renato Moicano claimed an unpopular doctor’s stoppage win over home favourite Benoit Saint-Denis in the lightweight main event of a UFC Fight Night at the Accor Arena in Paris, France, on the evening of Saturday 28 September 2024.
Moicano scored a takedown early in the first round, controlled BSD on the ground and inflicted a huge amount of damage with punches and elbows from above.
Saint-Denis did well just to survive, and heroically put up a fine showing in the second round, but before the third could get going, the doctor took a close look at the swelling around the French fighter’s eyes and advised referee Mark Goddard to call the fight off, handing the Brazilian a deserved victory.
“Paddy Pimblett, easy money. Dan Hooker, easy money,” said Moicano in regards to who he wants to face next.
“I beat a hell of an athlete. Everyone has been speaking about Benoit Saint-Denis, but I’m the man tonight.”
The rest of the main card saw Fares Ziam overcome Matt Frevola in the lightweight division; Morgan Charriere knocked out Gabriel Miranda in a featherweight fight; Bryan Battle nearly caused a riot when he stopped Kevin Jousset in a welterweight clash and then taunted the crowd; William Gomis claimed a split decision win over Joanderson Brito in a tight featherweight battle; and the middleweight co-main saw Nassourdine Imavov defeat Brendan Allen via unanimous decision before calling for a title shot against Dricus Du Plessis.
The UFC continues next week with UFC 307 at the Delta Centre in Salt Lake City, Utah, on the morning of Sunday 6 October, headlined by a match for the light heavyweight championship between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr.
UFC Fight Night: Moicano v Saint Denis – Main card results
- Main event: Lightweight: Renato Moicano def. Benoit Saint-Denis via TKO (doctor’s stoppage), R2, 5:00
- Middleweight: Nassourdine Imavov def. Brendan Allen via unanimous decision (29-28 29-28 29-28), R3, 5:00
- Featherweight: William Gomis def. Joanderson Brito via split decision (29-28 28-29 29-28), R3, 5:00
- Welterweight: Bryan Battle def. Kevin Jousset via TKO (punches), R2, 3:47
- Featherweight: Morgan Charriere def. Gabriel Miranda via KO (punch), R2, 0:27
- Lightweight: Fares Ziam def. Matt Frevola via KO (knee), R3, 2:59