UFC fighters react to Benoit Saint-Denis' gnarly injuries, TKO win for Renato Moicano

UFC Paris took place on Saturday, Sept. 28 with an important lightweight fight between Renato Moicano and Benoît Saint-Denis. 

It took just seconds for the fight to hit the canvas with Moicano taking Saint-Denis into a grappling fight to start. On the canvas, Saint-Denis was dominated with ground and pound with Moicano opening up a cut on Saint-Denis. It looked like Moicano was going to finish the fight with massive strikes several times but somehow Saint-Denis survived the round despite being battered and bruised from the domination. 

Money Monicano ain’t playing any games

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) September 28, 2024

Moicano’s transitions on the ground are smooth like butter! Domination #UFCParis

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) September 28, 2024

Gotta be a 10-8 Money Moicano whoa

— Al Iaquinta🗽 (@ALIAQUINTA) September 28, 2024

This isn’t looking good. BSD will need to rely on his hands. If his kicking game keeps getting caught like RD 1 this fight is over this round.

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 28, 2024

That’s a lot of damage for only one round #UFCParis

— Diana Belbiță (@DianaBelbita) September 28, 2024

In the second round, Saint-Denis’ eyes were nearly swollen shut already, leaving many wondering if he could even fight another round, let alone another four. The fight stayed on the feet for much of the second with Moicano piecing up Saint-Denis on the feet. But despite the face of Saint-Denis, he was still landing accurately and stopped the takedown attempts in round two. 

Round three begins with the doctor examining Saint-Denis’ injuries. He took a long time checking Saint-Denis’ sight and told the referee that he could not see out of his right eye and they waved off the fight. 

Moiciano earned the second-round TKO. 

Benoit Saint Denis wearing some serious damage after Round 1 #UFCParis pic.twitter.com/A9Y7h1a8cm

— Nolan King (@mma_kings) September 28, 2024

it looks like he got 3 eye holes where one should be pic.twitter.com/PDSxzUDNRe

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) September 28, 2024

Hate to say that was a good stoppage cuz we wanted to see more… but good scrap while it lasted

— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) September 28, 2024

Moicano was coming into the fight on a three-fight winning streak with recent victories over Jalin Turner, Drew Dober, and Brad Riddell. He was coming into enemy territory with hopes of extending his steak to four and putting himself into a better position to fight for the lightweight title eventually. 

Saint-Denis, the hometown hero, was looking to rebound from a disappointing loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 299. Prior to that, he’d been on a five-fight win streak winning matches with Matt Frevola, Thiago Moises, Ismael Bonfim, Gabriel Miranda, and Niklas Stolze. 

After the fight, Moicano was asked who he wanted to fight next but he took the microphone to call out democracy instead. Then he said he’d take Dan Hooker but wouldn’t take any ‘bullsh*t” fights. 

Renato Moicano @moicanoufc is the Brazilian @SStricklandMMA 😂😂😂😂 #UFCParis

— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) September 28, 2024

Saint-Denis spoke after the fight to the Paris crowd thanking them for the support, explained he was “sleepy” and apologized for his performance.