Autumn is here in the northern hemisphere. Weekends will soon be dominated by trips to apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and haunted houses. While the temperatures may be cooling down as the new season continues, inside, the action in the famed UFC Octagon is just beginning to heat up.
The third quarter of the year in MMA’s top promotion ends with its annual trip to Paris this Saturday. For the third straight year, Dana White‘s organization heads to the French capital for another UFC Fight Night, UFC Paris. Inside the United States, UFC Paris is exclusive to ESPN+.
Action kicks off Saturday at 12 noon ET/ 9 am PT on ESPN’s subscription-based streamer with preliminary fights before moving onto the main card at 3 pm ET/ noon PT. All told, absent of any cancellations or postponements between now and the weekend, UFC Paris features a packed 14-fight slate.
Lightweights In Action for UFC Paris Main Event Saturday
Highlighting the day’s itinerary is a contest at lightweight in the UFC Paris main event. No. 11 contender Renato Moicano (19-5-1 MMA, 11-5 UFC) takes on No. 12 contender Benoit Saint-Denis (13-2, 1 NC MMA, 5-2 UFC), an alumnus of Brave Combat Federation.
As with most UFC main events since 2011, the UFC Paris main event is an advertised maximum of five rounds at five minutes per round to close out the show.
"Moicano wants money!" 💸@MoicanoUFC never disappoints on the mic. You can catch him back in the Octagon this weekend at #UFCParis! pic.twitter.com/R7DhcWvebj
— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2024
UFC Paris Main Event Fighter Comparison and Betting Odds
Heading into the UFC Paris main event on Saturday night, both contestants stand level at 5-foot-11. Benoit Saint- Denis holds a one-inch reach advantage (73 inches to 72 inches) over Renato Moicano, while Moicano owns a 2 1/2-inch leg reach advantage (42 1/2 inches to 40 inches even) over Saint-Denis.
Currently, the oddsmakers have Benoit Saint-Denis installed as a -300 favorite on the money line, while Renato Moicano counters as a +240 underdog. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening this weekend in MMA and/or combat sports, please wager responsibly.
“Money” Aims for 20th Pro Win Saturday Night
Renato Moicano enters the UFC Paris main event on Saturday having posted a record of 4-1 in his last five MMA fights. At the moment, he’s on a four-fight winning streak.
Most recently, he scored a second-round knockout (ground and pound shots) of Jalin Turner (14-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC) during the landmark UFC 300 on April 13 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In the interim, he picked up a decision win on points over Cristian Guzman in a grappling match during UFC Fight Pass Invitational 7 on May 15.
On Wednesday, Moicano met with the press during media day, utilizing his time at the podium to talk about his upcoming adversary.
“I think he’s very good overall, striking, grappling, but I think I’m better,” Moicano began. “Overall, I think I’m better. Maybe he’s more aggressive, maybe he has more punching power, but overall, I think I’m better.”
The time for talk is just about over for Renato Moicano. On Saturday night, will he be able to turn his words into action? Tune into the UFC Paris main event and find out.
Saint-Denis Ready to Get Back in Win Column
In the other corner, Benoit Saint-Denis enters the headlining affair having posted a mark of 4-1 in his last five fights. Last time out, he dropped a second-round knockout (right hook) against Dustin Poirier (30-9, 1 NC MMA, 22-8, 1 NC UFC) during UFC 299 back in March from Miami.
Recently, Saint-Denis talked to USA Today’s MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn about improving his combat acumen since that contest.
“A lot of stuff happened with that fight, a lot of stuff and it has been bringing me a lot of lessons,” Saint-Denis recalls. “Like I said, come 100 percent healthy to a fight. The most important part of training camp is to be ready for the fight, not before or not after, being healthy and taking pleasure in training.”
Another important factor to consider for Saint-Denis and his camp is that their fighter will be in a “home game” on Saturday evening. His countrymen will be cheering him on in the UFC Paris main event, so can he feed off the momentum his supporters give him and ride it to a victory?
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
Stylistically, the UFC Paris main event looks to favor Renato Moicano, a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo, compared to Benoit Saint-Denis’ status as a brown belt in BJJ and black belt in judo.
Moicano Goes to Work in a Hurry
Statistically speaking, Renato Moicano has recorded 10 wins by way of submission. Although there wasn’t an audience present for his March 2020 fight vs. Damir Hadzovic due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he didn’t need the roar of the crowd to guide him to victory.
During the opening round of the fight, Moicano dropped Hadzovic and took his back, applying the torque to lock up a rear-naked choke. Time of the stoppage: A mere 44 seconds.
Look for Moicano to try and drop Saint-Denis early on in the UFC Paris main event. If he scores the first takedown, it could be the opening he needs to score the win on Saturday night.
Saint-Denis’ Kicking Game Could Tell the Tale
In the other corner, Benoit Saint-Denis has a proficient kicking game, as was illustrated in his November victory over Matt Frevola.
Round one of that fight saw Frevola score with a leg kick, only for Saint-Denis to return fire and knock him down with one of his own. While Frevola popped back up to land a takedown and assume top position on the ground, Saint-Denis executed a sweep and secured side control before Frevola worked back up to the clinch and secured another takedown.
This was rendered moot thanks to Saint-Denis working back up to the clinch with Frevola unloading on a knee to his opponent’s body. Upon breaking free, Benoit Saint-Denis uncorked a brilliant kick to the head to knock Frevola down and out. Should Saint-Denis find himself on the bottom position on the mat, he has the skills to overcome this.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let the rankings of these two men fool you: The UFC Paris main event looks to be an entertaining scrap this weekend. Enjoy it.
Prediction: Renato Moicano by First-Round Submission.
