Benoit Saint-Denis will face Mauricio Ruffy at UFC Paris . Photo: Reproduction: X/UFCNews
Hailed as one of the most promising lightweights (up to 70,3kg) in his explosive UFC start, Benoit Saint-Denis ended up disappointing some fans after suffering two consecutive defeats and interrupting his winning streak. Despite being back on the winning track, however, the Frenchman continues to raise doubts about his true standing in the division.
Considered a major underdog in his fight against Mauricio Ruffy at UFC Paris , the athlete recalled poor career direction in his recent performances. According to Benoit, the lack of coaches and strategy were the main reasons for his decline in performance.
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"After the fight with (Dustin) Poirier, I was a bit lost because I didn't have a head coach. I tried to do everything myself, and that was a mistake. In the fight with (Renato) Moicano, I went in without a strategy, without a clear idea of what to do. It was the worst first round of my life. This experience made me evolve and understand what it really means to compete at the top. I'm ready," Benoit declared in a UFC recording.
At 29 years old, Benoit has nine appearances in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and six wins. His last fight was against Kyle Prepolec , who accepted a last-minute invitation and ended up being submitted in the second round. In all his victories in the octagon, Saint-Denis managed to overcome his rivals quickly, three by knockout and three by submission.
Scheduled for the penultimate fight of UFC Paris , Benoit and Ruffy are vying for title contender status. Outside the lightweight rankings, the Brazilian is hoping to win this Saturday (06) to return to the top 15.
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