Benoît Saint-Denis is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations for UFC 326. The French lightweight contender experienced a mixed start to 2024 with two wins and two losses but is now on a strong comeback trail in the 155-pound division.
Saint-Denis boasts a 3-0 record in 2025 after bouncing back from a knockout defeat to Dustin Poirier and a tough loss to Renato Moicano. He made a significant statement at UFC 322 by knocking out Beneil Dariush in just 16 seconds, following earlier career moments like ruining Kyle Prepolec’s UFC debut and suffering his first Octagon defeat to Mauricio Ruffy. This dominant win elevated ‘God of War’ to the No. 8 spot in the lightweight rankings and secured him a co-main event match against Dan Hooker at UFC 325.
As he trains intensively for this upcoming fight, Saint-Denis has drawn attention with an unusual neck-strengthening exercise, seen in a video where he supports a heavy weight using his neck while lying on his side. This unconventional method sparked mixed reactions from fans online, ranging from concern about its safety to skepticism about its effectiveness. Despite these reactions, Saint-Denis appears focused on boosting his physical resilience for a big 2026, aiming to continue his winning streak and ultimately claim championship gold.
While his immediate priority is the fight against Hooker, Saint-Denis has ambitious goals beyond just climbing the lightweight ranks. After his impressive showing at UFC 322, he expressed his sights on capturing both the lightweight title and the prestigious BMF (Baddest Mother F*****) belt, currently held by Max Holloway. Holloway is set to defend the BMF title against Charles Oliveira at UFC 326, shortly after Saint-Denis takes on Hooker in February.
Saint-Denis stated on the Ariel Helwani Show that it is a privilege to compete in such a demanding division and that his ultimate aim is to hold both major titles simultaneously, which would solidify his position among the elite fighters in the sport.
Fan Take: Saint-Denis’ rigorous training and bold ambitions signal a thrilling rise in the lightweight division that could shake up the UFC’s hierarchy. His quest for dual championships adds intrigue and excitement for fans, potentially setting up historic matchups that could redefine the sport’s landscape.
