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Tag: UFC Paris

  • Renato Moicano Explains Why Five Fighters Have No Business Being Higher Ranked Than Him After UFC Paris Win

    Renato Moicano Explains Why Five Fighters Have No Business Being Higher Ranked Than Him After UFC Paris Win

    Despite his dominant performance against Benoît Saint Denis in the main event this past weekend, Renato Moicano has been left unsatisfied.

    The lightweight contender earned his fourth consecutive win but did not move up in the rankings at 155-pounds.

    He came into the fight as the #11-ranked contender, facing Saint Denis who was one spot below him following his loss to Dustin Poirier early this year.

    “Money” Moicano is still sat on the fringes of the top 10 even after producing his best performance to date, and the Brazilian isn’t happy about that.

    Renato Moicano Explains Why He Believes He Should Be The #6-Ranked Lightweight Right Now

    Posting on X, Moicano voiced his frustration as to why he hasn’t moved up several places in the rankings.

    He made the case that regardless of him beating a fighter that was ranked below him, he should be just outside the top 5 based on his activity.

    “If UFC Rankings Aren’t Total Bullshit, I Should Be Ranked #6 in the Lightweight Division Tomorrow. Why? In the last 8 months, I’ve fought 3 times and I’m on a 6-fight win streak in the lightweight division, with 5 stoppages. Yet, ranked above me are:”

    Moicano proceeded to name five fighters that he believes he should be above in the rankings, due to their lack of activity and recent form.

    Going case-by-case, he gave reasoning for each person that by his logic, would see him jump all the way up to the #6 spot.

    “#10 Max Holloway: A legend, but he’s a 145 and will be facing Topuria for the featherweight belt at UFC 308. Even if he loses, his spot in the lightweight rankings makes no sense. He just beat Gaethje, so if anything, he should be ranked #3. I’d gladly take #7 if that was case.”

    “#9 Rafael Fiziev: Coming off 2 losses to Mateusz Gamrot and Justin Gaethje. His last fight was in September 2023. #8 Mateusz Gamrot: Coming off a loss to Dan Hooker in August 2024.

    “#7 Beneil Dariush: Coming off 2 losses to Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. His last fight was in December 2023.”

    “#6 Michael Chandler: If anyone doesn’t deserve this spot, it’s Michael Chandler. He’s 2-3 in the UFC, coming off a loss to Dustin Poirier in November 2022. Since then, he’s been sitting out, waiting for Conor McGregor’s return, and only now decided to fight Charles Oliveira.”

    “There’s no way I’m not #6 in the lightweight division right now.”

    Read also: UFC Veteran Picks Justin Gaethje Over Dustin Poirier & Paddy Pimblett As Renato Moicano’s ‘Glaringly Obvious’ Next Opponent

  • Nassourdine Imavov Sees ‘No Danger’ For Him In The Middleweight Division After UFC Paris Win

    Nassourdine Imavov Sees ‘No Danger’ For Him In The Middleweight Division After UFC Paris Win

    UFC middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov is seemingly expecting a smooth sailing all the way to port championship down the line.

    Imavov further advanced his ambitions of a title crowning this past weekend in Paris, where the Frenchman recorded a crucial victory in front of his home fans at the Accor Arena.

    Tasked with defending his top-five spot opposite Brendan Allen, things got off to a difficult start for “The Sniper.” But after dropping round one, Imavov rallied to take frames two and three to secure the decision triumph in his own backyard.

    Having now won three straight fights, all over names inside the top 10, Imavov has placed himself well in the championship picture and could be in line for a title eliminator next time out.

    And be it in that bout or a future shot at the gold, the rising 29-year-old sees no opponent who can pose a real “danger” to his plans…

    Imavov Confident Of Superiority Over Entire UFC Middleweight Roster

    During his appearance at the post-fight press conference on Saturday night, Imavov reflected on his successful outing on home soil and looked ahead to his continued path toward the middleweight mountaintop.

    When asked to pinpoint the biggest threat to his goals in the division, the confident Frenchman stated that he sees little challenge when it comes to sharing the cage with the top names at 185 pounds.

    “There’s no danger in this division,” Imavov said. “I showed once again that I’m a very well-rounded fighter. I can fight striking, I can fight grappling, I can fight wrestling. I can do it all.”

    For now, Imavov will have his eyes on some other big fights in the division. First comes Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev’s rescheduled clash in Abu Dhabi later this month, the winner of which could be next in line.

    That would seemingly be behind Sean Strickland, who is expected to be granted his rematch against current champ Dricus Du Plessis, potentially by the end of this year.

  • UFC Rankings Report: Renato Moicano Gets No Reward For Paris Beatdown

    UFC Rankings Report: Renato Moicano Gets No Reward For Paris Beatdown

    As always, the latest action on offer inside the Octagon has seen some climb the ladder toward contention and others fall away.

    And in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night: Renato Moicano vs. Benoît Saint Denis, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

    Men’s Pound-For-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Pound-for-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Strawweight: No changes.

    Women’s Flyweight: No changes.

    Women’s Bantamweight: Ailín Pérez secured one of the standout wins on Saturday’s preliminary card, submitting Russia’s Darya Zheleznyakova to make it four victories on the bounce. While she did miss weight for the contest, the Argentine has still received a small boost in the rankings, jumping one place above Chelsea Chandler (#15) to #14.

    Flyweight: No changes.

    Bantamweight: No changes.

    Featherweight: Brian Ortega has slipped out of the top five at 145 pounds a couple of weeks on from his defeat at Noche UFC. “T-City” has found himself at #6, with Movsar Evloev getting boosted to #5 a few months out from his return against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310.

    Lightweight: There was no movement at 155 pounds this week, and that’s despite Moicano’s headline win in Paris. His beatdown on Saint Denis was evidently not enough to warrant him a spot in the top 10 in the eyes of the rankings panel, who have kept the Brazilian unmoved at #11.

    Welterweight: No changes.

    Middleweight: No changes.

    Light Heavyweight: No changes.

    Heavyweight: No changes.

    You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

  • ‘Who Was The Real God Of War Last Night?’ – Fans React After Renato Moicano Wins At UFC Paris Despite Severe Broken Shoulder [Graphic]

    ‘Who Was The Real God Of War Last Night?’ – Fans React After Renato Moicano Wins At UFC Paris Despite Severe Broken Shoulder [Graphic]

    Renato Moicano’s dominant victory in the main event of UFC Paris this past weekend was made even more impressive by some news that came out in the aftermath.

    Kevin Iole shared images of a gruesome shoulder injury that the Brazilian lightweight contender had suffered, as the journalist understood, in the second round against Benoît Saint-Denis.

    Moicano, however, later clarified that this was the result of an injury that he had suffered during his training camp, 3 weeks before the fight.

    He refused to pull out of the UFC Paris main event and as a result, would end up earning his fourth consecutive win at 155 pounds.

    “I hurt my shoulder 3 weeks ago… but I couldn’t pull out of a main event… thank you my team for helping me training like that e get me ready for the fight”

    As the x-ray clearly shows, Moicano fought Saint-Denis with a cleanly broken shoulder bone, that jutted out out of skin.

    MMA Fans React To Renato Moicano’s Injury Details

    MMA fans were already quick to shower Moicano with praise following his devastating display in the French capital.

    After taking Saint Denis down early in the fight, he earned a 10-8 round across all three scorecards due to some ruthless ground and pound that led to his opponent wearing significant damage on his face.

    The fight was then stopped at the end of the second round after the doctor declared that the Frenchman couldn’t see out of one eye.

    On social media, MMA fans reacted to Moicano revealing more details about his injury:

    “Moicano’s stock is massively up after last night.”

    “Savage. That’s no bs injury neither. Who was the real God of war last night #easymoney“

    “Mcgregor pulled out for a pinky toe yall”

    “I had the same injury… I couldn’t even sleep at night because the pain was too much… idk how he did this against a super tough opponent”

    “You hear that? I don’t want to ever hear BSD’s staph excuse again”

    “Damn is this why he started to slow down a bit? $$$Moicano”

    “When Moicano Wants Money, Moicano is invincible”

    “Benoit being like ‘I can see out of my left one’ is SAVAGE”

    Read also: Paddy Pimblett Gives 3-Word Reaction To Renato Moicano’s Callout At UFC Paris

  • Paddy Pimblett Gives 3-Word Reaction To Renato Moicano’s Callout At UFC Paris

    Paddy Pimblett Gives 3-Word Reaction To Renato Moicano’s Callout At UFC Paris

    It appears that the only light yet to be confirmed as green for a possible Renato Moicano vs. Paddy Pimblett lightweight clash is the UFC’s.

    Moicano made a statement in this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night main event, which saw him make the walk in enemy territory to face Benoît Saint Denis in his backyard of Paris, France.

    While “God of War” was hoping to bounce back from his knockout loss to Dustin Poirier in front of his home fans, Moicano had other plans. The Brazilian landed a takedown early and proceeded to put a brutal beating on Saint Denis.

    The Frenchman was left badly bleeding and swollen after just one round, and the damage ultimately led to the doctor calling off the fight before the start of the third frame.

    Moicano was his usual charismatic and unpredictable self on the microphone post-fight. But an aspect that perhaps could have been foreseen was his callouts, one of which saw the continuation of his back and forth with a rising name…

    Pimblett Gives Short & Sweet Response To Moicano

    During Pimblett’s surge up the lightweight ladder, Moicano has frequently dismissed his credentials and vowed to blemish his UFC record should they be placed opposite one another inside the cage.

    And with “The Baddy” now ranked following his submission of Bobby Green at UFC 304 in Manchester this past July, the fight certainly makes more sense than ever.

    Moicano evidently thinks so, as he named Pimblett alongside Dan Hooker as his potential opponents following a destructive beatdown of Saint Denis in Paris.

    The Liverpool native was quick to respond on social media, unsurprisingly welcoming the chance to quieten the Brazilian and forge a path into the top 10 at 155 pounds.

    “Let’s do this,” Pimblett wrote.

    Pimblett’s win over Green marked his sixth since signing with the UFC in 2021. The former Cage Warriors champion had previously gotten the better of notable names like Tony Ferguson and Jared Gordon.

    Moicano, meanwhile, is now riding a four-fight winning run inside the Octagon. After a lengthy injury layoff followed a quick submission victory over Brad Riddell in late 2022, the Brazilian has returned this year in style by reeling off three triumphs over Drew Dober, Jalin Turner, and Saint Denis.

  • Ailín Pérez Defends Celebration After She ‘Khabib’d The Russian’ At UFC Paris

    Ailín Pérez Defends Celebration After She ‘Khabib’d The Russian’ At UFC Paris

    UFC women’s bantamweight contender Ailín Pérez insists she was well within her rights to celebrate in the way she did this past weekend.

    The Argentine fighter featured on the preliminary portion of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card in Paris, France. She was hoping to extend her winning run to five at the expense of Darya Zheleznyakova.

    Pérez did just that, once again showing her grappling superiority. This time, however, she didn’t require the scorecards, forcing a tap from her Russian opponent with an arm-triangle choke inside the first round.

    Rather than the performance, though, the main talking point seemingly came in the aftermath, which saw “Fiona” celebrate by twerking in the face of her opponent moments after the submission.

    Pérez Rejects ‘Disrespectful’ Claims After Twerking In Defeated Opponent’s Face

    Pérez’s celebration split opinion in the community, with some branding it a disrespectful move on the part of the Buenos Aires native.

    But the Argentine was quick to dismiss that notion, instead claiming to have been subjected to disrespect from her opponent pre-fight.

    “My friend @arielhelwani, Darya said some very disrespectful things about me before the fight so I had to do it,” Pérez wrote. “I would love to tell you more about it on your NEW show #AilinNurmagomedov“

    And that wasn’t the only post-fight tweet that saw a Nurmagomedov theme.

    In another, the victorious Argentine claimed to have “Khabib’d the Russian” inside the Octagon at Accor Arena.

    “I Khabib’d the Russian and then twerken on her #UFCParis#AilinNurmagomedov“

    Plenty of Pérez’s other posts saw her targeting flyweight contender Tracy Cortez, who got her own back following “Fiona’s” weight miss after previously being branded unprofessional by the Argentine for needing to cut her hair off to make the limit.

    It remains to be seen what will come next for Pérez, but she certainly has her sights set high.

    Prior to missing weight, the rising bantamweight suggested she’d call for UFC CEO Dana White to place her in a main event for the first time following the Paris card, preferably against Kayla Harrison.

  • X-Ray Shows Extent Of Shoulder Injury Renato Moicano Fought Through At UFC Paris, Dana White Reacts

    X-Ray Shows Extent Of Shoulder Injury Renato Moicano Fought Through At UFC Paris, Dana White Reacts

    Some already thought that Renato Moicano’s doctor’s stoppage win over Benoît Saint Denis was impressive enough as it was. But new information coming out in the aftermath of the fight has made it just that much more so.

    As it turned out, Moicano suffered a severe shoulder injury during the fight, powering his way through the second round with it. Kevin Iole was the first to obtain and share photos of the damaged shoulder, including a gruesome X-ray.

    Dana White Brands Renato Moicano A ‘Beast’ After Fighting Through Injury To Win UFC Paris Main Event

    UFC CEO Dana White took notice of the injury and was blown away, sharing his thoughts in Iole’s Instagram comments.

    “Kids a BEAST!!!!!!”

    Moicano put a beating on Saint Denis over the course of the first round. While the Brazilian did not do much in the second frame, the damage his French opponent sustained was enough to warrant the doctor stepping in to halt the bout.

    With the result, Moicano has now won four straight and six of his last seven as he continues to rise up the 155-pound rankings.

    After a long winning streak, meanwhile, Saint Denis has now been finished in back-to-back fights, having previously lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 299 earlier this year.

    With Moicano’s win, it will be interesting to see if a fight with Paddy Pimblett will come next given “The Baddy’s” call out of him after UFC 304 in Manchester this past July.

  • Dricus Du Plessis Mocks Brendan Allen After UFC Paris Loss: ‘You Suck, Loser’

    Dricus Du Plessis Mocks Brendan Allen After UFC Paris Loss: ‘You Suck, Loser’

    It was not the best of nights for Brendan Allen at UFC Paris, coming up short against Nassourdine Imavov in a crucial co-main event clash of top middleweight contenders.

    Allen appeared to be in complete control of the fight over the first five minutes, laying into Imavov and delivering most, if not all, of the activity in the first round. But the American seemed to fatigue from there.

    That led to the Frenchman taking control, especially in the grappling realm. Imavov ultimately scored the judges’ nod on all three scorecards.

    This fight did not do Allen any favors as he aims to finally capture a shot at the UFC middleweight championship. And current champ, Dricus Du Plessis — someone who Allen is not fond of — let him know it on social media after the performance.

    Dricus Du Plessis, Brendan Allen Trade Barbs On Social Media After Allen’s Loss At UFC Paris

    Allen was not going to let Du Plessis’ comments go unnoticed, giving him a response back. “All In” reiterated a past claim, stating that the South African has been avoiding him during his rise up the middleweight ranks.

    Allen saw a seven-fight win streak snapped as a result of his loss in Paris.

  • Benoît Saint Denis Makes First Statement After Devastating UFC Paris Beating At The Hands Of Renato Moicano

    Benoît Saint Denis Makes First Statement After Devastating UFC Paris Beating At The Hands Of Renato Moicano

    Benoît Saint Denis displayed a valuable amount of heart and resilience during the main event of UFC Paris. But it wasn’t enough, as the damage he took forced the doctor to wave off the contest against Renato Moicano after two rounds.

    Moicano put a battering on the Frenchman, causing great swelling and damage along his face — especially his eyes. Moicano appeared to take the second round off as Saint Denis battled back.

    But as the doctor checked him out after the second, it became apparent that “God of War” was unable to see out of his right eye, forcing the bout’s end.

    Saint Denis took to social media to state his thoughts in the immediate aftermath of the defeat.

    Benoît Saint Denis Gives Respect To Renato Moicano After Loss At UFC Paris

    https://twitter.com/BenoitSt_Denis/status/1840336809638699156

    “It wasn’t my day, this sport is tough but amazing,” Saint Denis wrote in French. “Thank you all for your continued support. Proud to have been able to represent the (French flag) in the octagon. Respect to my opponent @moicanoufc for facing me at home and congratulations to him.”

    Moicano, who battled through his own injury, expressed gratitude to Saint Denis after the fight, even inviting him to train together at some point.

    After dropping his UFC debut, “God of War” won five straight, but he has now lost back-to-back outings. Saint Denis was finished by Dustin Poirier at UFC 299 earlier this year.

  • ‘Looks Like He Fought 10 Rounds’ – MMA Fans React As Renato Moicano Disfigures Benoît Saint Denis In Brutal Beating At UFC Paris

    ‘Looks Like He Fought 10 Rounds’ – MMA Fans React As Renato Moicano Disfigures Benoît Saint Denis In Brutal Beating At UFC Paris

    Benoît Saint Denis was left with quite the battle scars on his face as the doctor stepped in to stop his UFC Paris fight with Renato Moicano.

    The Brazilian put on a completely dominating display in the opening round, taking the fight to the ground early and having over four minutes of control time there. He landed some vicious ground-and-pound on Saint Denis, busting up his face.

    Moicano appeared to take the second frame off, as Saint Denis pressed forward. The damage, however, was not getting any better.

    The doctor observed “God of War” and his severely swollen eyes after the second round, and it was determined that Saint Denis’ vision in his right eye was obscured, causing the fight to be waved off.

    Benoît Saint Denis Left Battered As Doctor Steps In To Stop UFC Paris Main Event vs. Renato Moicano

    Moicano has now won four straight and scored three finishes in this stretch. He called out Paddy Pimblett following the fight after “The Baddy” expressed interest in fighting him post-UFC 304 this past July.

    After winning 13 of 15 to start his MMA career, meanwhile, Saint Denis has now dropped back-to-back outings after previously getting finished by Dustin Poirier at UFC 299 in March.

  • ‘Imagine What Du Plessis Would Do To These Two’ – MMA Fans React As Nassourdine Imavov Decisions Brendan Allen At UFC Paris

    ‘Imagine What Du Plessis Would Do To These Two’ – MMA Fans React As Nassourdine Imavov Decisions Brendan Allen At UFC Paris

    A battle of middleweight contenders in the co-main event of UFC Paris saw Nassourdine Imavov come out on top over Brendan Allen.

    Allen was in complete control of the fight in the first round, bringing virtually all of the activity. But in the second frame, the momentum shifted swiftly. Imavov won the grappling battle in that round, taking advantage of a tired “All In” and displaying strong shots from the top ground position.

    The American’s striking seemed off in the second stanza, and that stretched into the third, with his French counterpart landing the better strikes and having control of the fight on the mat.

    Imavov ultimately scored the judges’ nod on all three scorecards.

    Nassourdine Imavov Keeps Momentum Alive With Decision Win Over Brendan Allen In Paris

    https://twitter.com/blondedmma/status/1840146075002302757

    Imavov has now won three straight since his no contest with Chris Curtis at UFC 289. The Frenchman’s win streak has also seen him score a majority decision over Roman Dolidze and a controversial finish of Jared Cannonier.

    Meanwhile, Allen’s seven-fight winning run was snapped in Paris, a streak that saw him earn victories over Curtis, Paul Craig, and Bruno Silva.

  • VIDEO: Bryan Battle Riles Up French Crowd With ‘All-Time Promo’ After Beating Kevin Jousset At UFC Paris

    VIDEO: Bryan Battle Riles Up French Crowd With ‘All-Time Promo’ After Beating Kevin Jousset At UFC Paris

    Bryan Battle may have come out on top with a finish at UFC Paris, but he also may have made himself public enemy No. 1 in France with his post-fight promo…

    Battle put on a solid striking display before scoring a finish in the second round of his fight with Kevin Jousset. He then landed a brutal flurry of strikes that resulted in a referee’s stoppage, giving “The Butcher” the victory.

    The American flipped the home crowd off following the fight as the fans inside Accor Arena expressed displeasure in their compatriot losing.

    Battle then took to the mic and encouraged the French crowd to continuously rain down the jeers they were bringing to him.

    Bryan Battle Encourages Boos From Crowd After Finish Of France’s Kevin Jousset At UFC Paris

    “Keep booing me, baby” Battle said. “Keep booing me. I love it. I love it. Listen, listen. People have been booing me and doubting me since I started training. I love it. The more you boo me, the stronger I get, baby! I’m used to this. Nobody can stop me!”

    https://twitter.com/ElonRakhmonov/status/1840129268816457741
    https://twitter.com/MacMallyMMA/status/1840128187159982307
    https://twitter.com/SpinninBackfist/status/1840130076740071565

    The Ultimate Fighter season 29 winner now improves to 6-1 (1 NC) in the UFC. He is unbeaten in four straight and five of his last six fights.

    Meanwhile, the loss snaps a five-fight win streak Jousset was coming into this fight with and marks his first setback in the UFC.

  • ‘Arguably The Greatest Knee I’ve Seen In MMA’ – Fans React As Farès Ziam Knocks Matt Frevola Out Cold At UFC Paris

    ‘Arguably The Greatest Knee I’ve Seen In MMA’ – Fans React As Farès Ziam Knocks Matt Frevola Out Cold At UFC Paris

    In his native France, Farès Ziam pulled off a vicious knockout that seemed to come out of nowhere to score a late victory over Matt Frevola on the main card of UFC Paris.

    Ziam appeared to show continued improvement over the course of the fight’s first two rounds, seemingly in a comfortable lead as the contest headed into the third.

    It was there, however, where Ziam unleashed violence that no one saw coming.

    With the two of them against the fence, Ziam turned Frevola and landed a stunning knee to the head that dropped the American out cold to score a KO of the Year contender.

    Frevola was unconscious for several minutes after the finish.

    Farès Ziam Lands Brutal KO Of The Year Contender With Vicious Knee On Matt Frevola’s Head

    https://twitter.com/Full_Violence/status/1840116288762343532

    Ziam has now won four straight and has lost just twice since making his UFC debut in late 2019.

    Frevola, meanwhile, has now lost back-to-back fights and has dropped four of his last seven.

  • VIDEO: Ailín Pérez Submits Opponent Before Twerking In Her Face At UFC Paris

    VIDEO: Ailín Pérez Submits Opponent Before Twerking In Her Face At UFC Paris

    Another finish and another post-fight show from Ailín Pérez, as she scores a first-round submission of Darya Zheleznyakova on the preliminary card of UFC Paris.

    Pérez was able to bring the fight to the ground and locked up Zheleznyakova in an arm-triangle choke, scoring the submission quickly in the opening round.

    Following the submission, in classic Pérez style, she started to twerk, notably doing so in the direction of her opponent.

    Ailín Pérez Twerks In Darya Zheleznyakova’s Face After Submitting Her At UFC Paris

    Pérez has now won four straight in the Octagon, scoring her first finish since 2022 in this bout. The Argentine did, however, miss weight by 0.5 pounds for this fight.

    Zheleznyakova, meanwhile, is now 1-1 in the Octagon since coming over from ARES FC.

  • UFC Fight Night: Renato Moicano vs. Benoît Saint Denis Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC Fight Night: Renato Moicano vs. Benoît Saint Denis Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC Fight Night: Renato Moicano vs. Benoît Saint Denis takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

    After staging its latest numbered event inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere earlier this month for Noche UFC, MMA’s leading promotion has gone back on the road for a card inside the Accor Arena in Paris, France.

    In a first, heavyweight standout Ciryl Gane won’t be topping the lineup. Instead, the Sept. 28 event sees Benoît Saint Denis as the main attraction for the French crowd as he does battle with Renato Moicano.

    Nassourdine Imavov can also expect a good reception for the co-main event. The top-five middleweight contender will look to advance his title ambitions on home soil by ending the winning run of Brendan Allen.

    Ahead of the event, 27 out of the 28 fighters successfully made weight, with Ailín Pérez’s 0.5-pound miss of the bantamweight limit marking the sole indiscretion on the scale.

    Nevertheless, every fight is intact, and all that remains on Friday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC Fight Night Paris ceremonial weigh-ins!

    Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 12 PM ET.

    UFC Fight Night Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

  • UFC Fight Night: Renato Moicano vs. Benoît Saint Denis Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Renato Moicano vs. Benoît Saint Denis Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Renato Moicano vs. Benoît Saint Denis takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    Following a successful maiden event inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere earlier this month, the mixed martial arts leader returns to action across the Atlantic.

    This weekend sees the Octagon in Paris, France for the third time. While the previous two UFC Fight Nights in the country’s capital have been headlined by Ciryl Gane, the Sept. 28 event presents the opportunity for another French standout to make a splash.

    In the main event, exciting lightweights Benoît Saint Denis and Renato Moicano go to battle. Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, as top-five middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov defends his spot opposite the in-form Brendan Allen.

    UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis takes place on Saturday, September 28, at the Accor Arena in Paris, France. The main card begins at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.

    With that said, you can check out the full weigh-in results below!

    Main Card:

    • Lightweight Main Event: Renato Moicano (156lbs) vs. Benoît Saint Denis (156lbs)
    • Middleweight Co-Main Event: Nassourdine Imavov (186lbs) vs. Brendan Allen (186lbs)
    • Featherweight: William Gomis (146kbs) vs. Joanderson Brito (146lbs)
    • Welterweight: Kevin Jousset (169lbs) vs. Bryan Battle (170lbs)
    • Featherweight: Morgan Charriere (146lbs) vs. Gabriel Miranda (146lbs)
    • Lightweight: Farès Ziam (156lbs) vs. Matt Frevola (156lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Light Heavyweight: Ion Cuțelaba (205lbs) vs. Ivan Erslan (206lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Oumar Sy (205lbs) vs. Da Woon Jung (205lbs)
    • Lightweight: L’udovit Klein (155lbs) vs. Roosevelt Roberts (155lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Taylor Lapilus (136lbs) vs. Vince Morales (135lbs)
    • Women’s Bantamweight: Ailín Pérez (136.5lbs)* vs. Dariya Zheleznykova (135lbs)
    • Flyweight: Daniel Barez (125lbs) vs. Victor Altamirano (126lbs)
    • Women’s Bantamweight: Nora Cornolle (136lbs) vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti (135lbs)
    • Lightweight: Bolaji Oki (156lbs) vs. Chris Duncan (156lbs)

    *Ailín Pérez missed the bantamweight limit by half-a-pound, forfeits 20 percent of her purse

  • PFL Superstar Highlights ‘Firecracker’ Of A Fighter Who Is Going Under The Radar At UFC Paris

    PFL Superstar Highlights ‘Firecracker’ Of A Fighter Who Is Going Under The Radar At UFC Paris

    PFL star Brendan Loughnane recently said that he feels a fighter on the UFC Paris card has the potential to deliver an electrifying performance, yet everyone is overlooking him.

    The fighter Loughnane is spotlighting is Morgan Charriere, who’s gearing up to face Gabriel Miranda in a featherweight showdown on the main card of this Saturday’s Fight Night event at the Accor Arena in Paris, France.

    Charriere made a memorable promotional debut with a spectacular first-round knockout of Manolo Zecchini during last year’s inaugural UFC Paris event. “The Last Pirate” boasts a professional record of 19-10-1, with an impressive 11 victories by knockout.

    However, since his explosive debut, Charriere has only made one additional Octagon appearance, where he lost to Chepe Mariscal via a split decision this past April. Despite the setback, Loughnane is confident it doesn’t define the 28-year-old Frenchman’s true potential.

    The former PFL featherweight champion believes Charriere possesses all the tools to turn the tide and become a force to be reckoned with, while also carrying immense star power in his homeland.

    Loughnane Has Followed Charriere’s Journey Since His Time At Cage Warriors

    During a recent interview with talkSPORT MMA, Loughnane shared his thoughts on the upcoming Charriere vs. Miranda bout at UFC Paris. The seasoned British fighter revealed that he’s been tracking “The Last Pirate’s” career since his Cage Warriors days and confidently vouched for Charriere’s ability to deliver an electrifying performance for the fans.

    “I watched him in his Cage Warriors days, mate, he’s up for it, let me tell you,” Loughnane said. “Really, really dangerous fighter. I watched him on his rise through Cage Warriors, and it’s great to see him now progress onto these stages with the UFC. Let’s see how far he can go—another firecracker.”

    Loughnane went on to praise the UFC for the smart decision to feature Charriere on the UFC Paris card, noting that the Frenchman is a massive draw in his home country.

    “It’s good that they’re building him up through these French cards, getting this whole crowd behind him because, from what I’m seeing—I’ve not personally been to France—but watching MMA from the outside, and with [Cédric] Doumbé and all that, they really get behind their own. It looks like they’re really getting behind their fighters and Morgan’s definitely one they can rally behind. He’s fan-friendly, talks the talk, walks the walk, and I love watching him fight.”

    Before making his way to the UFC, Charriere competed under the Cage Warriors banner, where he carved out an impressive run and eventually captured the featherweight championship, finishing with a record of 6-3 in the promotion.

  • Brendan Allen Argues Why Benoît Saint Denis Should Not Headline UFC Paris

    Brendan Allen Argues Why Benoît Saint Denis Should Not Headline UFC Paris

    Brendan Allen believes he, not Benoît Saint Denis, deserves the spotlight as the headliner of the UFC Paris fight card.

    The UFC is making its much-anticipated return to the “City of Lights” this weekend at the Accord Arena in Paris, exactly one year after its last event, with a Fight Night event packed with French talent.

    Headlining the upcoming event is a lightweight showdown between Renato Moicano and Saint Denis. Meanwhile, the co-main event promises fireworks as Allen faces Nassourdine Imavov in a high-stakes middleweight clash that could have serious implications in the division.

    When announcing the fights last month, UFC CEO Dana White emphasized Allen’s seven-fight win streak, positioning him on the verge of title contention. Believing his bout holds greater weight, “All In” argues that, from a competitive standpoint, his matchup carries far more significance than the Moicano vs. Saint Denis clash, which he feels lacks meaningful consequence.

    Allen On Saint Denis Headlining UFC Paris: ‘Just Put Him On The Card, People Will Still Come Watch’

    During a recent interview with MMA Fightingo, Allen voiced his frustration over not being selected to headline UFC Paris.

    “All In” admitted he felt a slight sense of disrespect, considering his fight is a potential title eliminator yet was relegated to the co-main event. He argued that the Moicano vs. “God of War” matchup should have taken the co-headliner spot, given that neither fighter holds a high ranking in the division.

    “I feel like it’s a little disrespectful to me and not just to me, but to Imavov as well,” Allen said. “Our fight has potential title implications wrapped around it, whereas this is #11 and #14 [#12], I think, if I’m not mistaken. The two guys in the main event should be the co-main event under us.”

    Allen went on to say that while Saint Denis is understandably popular in his home country, fans will show up regardless to support their fellow compatriot no matter his card position. However, the 28-year-old South Carolina native emphasized that both he and Imavov have global recognition

    “I get it, Saint Denis is super famous here, but at the end of the day, people are going to come watch the fight no matter what, whether he’s on the co-main or the main [event]. Just put him on the card—people are still going to come watch. But when it comes to worldwide MMA and fans, everyone knows me and Imavov are the real main event. I just felt, being as we’re so close to a title, one of us is obviously going to move forward into that potential opportunity. That’s why I feel like we should have fought five rounds.”

  • Ciryl Gane’s Absence From UFC Fight Night Card In Paris Explained

    For the first time, a UFC event will be taking place in the French capital without the country’s only champion to date closing the show.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back in Paris this week, staging an event in France for the third straight year. The UFC debuted inside the Accor Arena in 2022, just under three years on from the legalization of MMA in the country.

    On that night, former interim UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane thrilled his compatriots by knocking out Tai Tuivasa. And “Bon Gamin” repeated the feat last September when he stopped Serghei Spivac with strikes.

    This year, however, presents an opportunity for a different French standout to make a splash in the main event spotlight: Benoît Saint Denis.

    Six months on from his defeat to Dustin Poirier in Miami, “God of War” will look to bounce back in front of a no doubt rowdy Parisian crowd when he shares the cage with Renato Moicano.

    Gane’s Coach Explains Decision Not To Fight At Latest UFC Paris Event

    During a recent interview with InsideFighting, coach Fernand Lopez commented on the UFC’s latest visit to his country and the fact that his star student won’t be a part of it this time around.

    “We don’t have to talk about it with the UFC coming to Paris. It’s obvious that they want Ciryl to fight in Paris, and I was thinking about Ciryl fighting in Paris. This is what we talked (about doing),” Lopez said. “But an opportunity showed up with a better opponent in terms of ranking, a better opportunity in terms of pay-per-view, and better career constructions to go back to the belt.

    “It makes sense for us to accept that opportunity. Ciryl already fought two times in Paris, finished his opponent two times in Paris, and enjoyed the moment to win in Paris,” Lopez continued. “I think for him, it is a new challenge to go to Abu Dhabi, a new different market, and for him to be qualified if they need him for the (title).”

    Of course, plans have changed since Lopez made those comments. Gane will no longer have the chance to make a splash in Abu Dhabi next month following the withdrawal of Alexander Volkov through injury.

    Instead, the Frenchman looks set for the chance for redemption in Las Vegas, where he was submitted in the opening round by Jon Jones in March 2023. His clash with Volkov is expected to be rescheduled for UFC 310 at the T-Mobile Arena this December.

    Meanwhile, Saint Denis has the chance to close the gap on his fellow countryman when it comes to being France’s poster boy for MMA. To do so, he’ll need to return to winning ways at the expense of Moicano this weekend.

  • Renato Moicano Feels UFC Called ‘Wrong Guy’ To Fight Benoît Saint Denis

    Renato Moicano Feels UFC Called ‘Wrong Guy’ To Fight Benoît Saint Denis

    In the main event of UFC Paris this weekend, Brazil’s Renato Moicano is hoping to enter enemy territory and come away with the win.

    His bout with fellow top 15 lightweight Benoît Saint Denis is sure to be an exciting clash of styles at the Accor Arena.

    It’s also a big opportunity for Saint Denis, who will have the chance to headline a UFC card in his home country for the first time.

    In previous years, this honor has gone to Ciryl Gane but now it is time for the “God of War” to step up and bounce back from his loss to Dustin Poirier from earlier this year.

    Renato Moicano Says The UFC Chose The Wrong Opponent For Potential Star Benoît Saint Denis

    As a teammate of Poirier’s at American Top Team, Moicano was critical of the match-up between “The Diamond” and Saint Denis at UFC 299 in March.

    He believed that the promotion was trying to build up the Frenchman by giving him an opportunity that at that stage in his career, he didn’t necessarily deserve.

    Now that he is set to face Saint Denis for himself over five rounds on September 28, “Money” Moicano wants to ruin the promotion’s plans.

    He told MMA Fighting in a recent interview that he understands why the promotion are big fans of his opponent but if they want to make him into a star, they picked the wrong opponent.

    “100% they trying to push Benoît Saint Denis and I’m not even mad, that is just business. I know Europe is a huge market, they don’t have many European fighters doing very well and Benoît Saint Denis is a dangerous fighter. He’s an aggressive fighter and UFC likes him, he’s young, you know? He’s young, European, good market, he can make good money for the UFC but guess what? UFC called the wrong guy because I’m going over there and I’m beating him.”

    Read also: Jon Jones’ Coach On Retirement Rumors: MMA Doesn’t Treat Aging Fighters Kindly

  • Daniel Cormier Plans To End Habit Of Skipping UFC Fight Nights When Home For Moicano vs. Saint Denis 

    Daniel Cormier Plans To End Habit Of Skipping UFC Fight Nights When Home For Moicano vs. Saint Denis 

    Count former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier among those incredibly excited for this weekend’s main event in Paris.

    For the third straight year, mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is staging an event in the French capital in September. While the first two following the 2020 legalization of the sport in the European nation saw Ciryl Gane as the main attraction, Saturday’s card will be topped by a different French standout.

    Headlining inside the Accor Arena on September 29 is rising lightweight Benoît Saint Denis. “God of War” is returning to the cage after having his surge up the ladder stalled by top-five contender Dustin Poirier in Miami this past March.

    While Saint Denis started strong, the effects of a pre-fight staph infection appeared to hinder his gas tank and result in a knocking triumph for “The Diamond.”

    To get back to the kind of violent success he experienced before running into Poirier, the Frenchman must get past Renato Moicano. The #11-ranked contender has gotten the better of Drew Dober and Jalin Turner since returning from an injury layoff this year.

    The clash looks set to be an enthralling one, going down amid the usual electric atmosphere seen at MMA events in Paris. And in terms of the main event matchup, one former fighter-turned-color commentator doesn’t think there’s been much better for a UFC Fight Night in a while…

    Cormier Excited To Watch Moicano vs. Saint Denis At Often Skipped UFC Fight Night

    During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Cormier looked ahead to the upcoming UFC Fight Night card in France.

    “DC” gave props to both men for their skillsets and recent outings inside the Octagon, suggesting they’re likely to come together to put on an entertaining affair in Saturday’s main event.

    And despite admitting that he often chooses against watching the UFC Fight Night cards he isn’t commentating on, Cormier insisted he would not miss this one.

    “(Moicano’s) got a tough one against Benoît Saint Denis, who also fought well against Dustin,” Cormier said. “I think this is going to be a fantastic fight, and I do believe this is one of the better main events for a Fight Night that we’ve had in a really long time.

    “I’m watching it. Honestly, a lot of Saturdays when I’m at home, I choose other things to do. I go watch football, I go play — I do something,” Cormier continued. “Saturday night, I’m tapping into this one because I’ve got to watch Renato Moicano and Benoît Saint Denis fight.”

    With all eyes on their crucial lightweight showdown, Moicano and Saint Denis will look to prove Cormier right unleashing fireworks when they share the cage inside the Accor Arena in a few days’ time.

  • Michael Bisping: Renato Moicano ‘Has No Idea What He’s Stepping Into’ Against Benoît Saint Denis In Paris

    Michael Bisping: Renato Moicano ‘Has No Idea What He’s Stepping Into’ Against Benoît Saint Denis In Paris

    Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping thinks Renato Moicano is in for a shock when he makes the walk in the French capital.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back in Paris this week to stage its third event in France. The appetite for events in the country has consistently increased since MMA was legalized there in 2020, and the enthusiasm for the sport has been evident at the two UFC Fight Nights staged at the Accor Arena thus far.

    The cards, which were both headlined by Ciryl Gane, delivered in terms of both the action inside the Octagon and the atmosphere within the arena, which picked up whenever the country’s own athletes were in action.

    Not many nations replicate the kind of hostile environment for opposition fighters that France does, and Moicano stands to experience that firsthand this weekend when he headlines opposite Benoît Saint Denis.

    Bisping Warns Moicano Of Fired Up French Crowd, ‘Violent’ Saint Denis

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNsLG8PTcNE

    During TNT Sports’ Fight Week Preview for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Paris, Bisping looked ahead to the event and recounted his experience commentating inside Paris’ Accor Arena.

    While “The Count” gave Moicano props for his abilities and self-belief, he insisted that the fan-favorite lightweight contender is in for a surprise when he clashes with Saint Denis in the Frenchman’s own backyard.

    “Every time they’ve been to Paris, the crowd has been phenomenal. The fights have been great, but I’m telling you, the atmosphere has been electric,” Bisping said. “This will be no different because in the main event, it’s the French Special Forces, the ridiculously violent and aggressive Benoît Saint Denis. The man that almost, almost decapitated and finished Dustin Poirier.

    “In steps the opponent, Renato ‘Money’ Moicano, a man that is also slowly doing his own thing, becoming a star in the lightweight division as well,” Bisping continued. “Saint Denis is going to be extra violent because he’s in Paris. … Renato Moicano, even though he’s really good, and he’s really skilled, and he’s got great jiu-jitsu, and he’s very confident, and he’s good with the fists, has got no idea what he is stepping into. He’s flying into enemy territory, and I’m telling you, I cannot wait for this.”

    Moicano will look to prove Bisping wrong by handling the hostile reception he receives from the French crowd with poise, and subsequently repeating the feat when it comes to dealing with Saint Denis’ offense inside the cage.

    While the Brazilian is fighting down the rankings, a victory over the man whom his teammate Dustin Poirier defeated to secure a title shot earlier this year would no doubt be a big scalp on his record and pursuit of an opportunity at the gold himself.

  • Brendan Allen Accuses Nassourdine Imavov Of ‘B*tch Move’ By Rejecting Five Rounds For UFC Fight Night Paris (Exclusive)

    Brendan Allen Accuses Nassourdine Imavov Of ‘B*tch Move’ By Rejecting Five Rounds For UFC Fight Night Paris (Exclusive)

    UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen is not impressed by Nassourdine Imavov’s alleged decision not to share the cage over 25 minutes next month.

    Allen will head to enemy territory to throw down with a fellow up-and-comer at 185 pounds in Imavov at the Paris-held UFC Fight Night on September 28. The pair will co-headline the event, much to the American’s frustration.

    The #7-ranked contender initially publicly rejected the France assignment owing to the fact that the promotion wasn’t looking to have him and Imavov headline. Allen was evidently convinced to compete on the undercard of Renato Moicano vs. Benoît Saint Denis, but he remains frustrated at one stipulation.

    With five-round co-main events becoming more common, Allen says he pushed for that against “The Sniper,” but the Frenchman refused. Having had three of his last four outings scheduled for 25 minutes, the 28-year-old is not pleased about Imavov’s apparent reluctance to prepare for the longer distance…

    Allen Tells Imavov: You Want To Fight For The Title? 5 Rounds Is How You Do It

    During a recent interview with MMA News’ Ryan Jarrell, Allen looked ahead to his second Octagon appearance of 2024, which comes a few months on from his memorable victory over Chris Curtis in their barnburner at the Apex.

    That result added to “All In’s” five-round experience, and Imavov isn’t short on it himself having gone the 25-minute distance with both Sean Strickland and Roman Dolidze, as well as recently entering a fourth frame with Jared Cannonier prior to the TKO stoppage.

    Despite that, though, Allen says the three-round stipulation for the Paris co-main event is entirely down to Imavov and his team, a decision he has a firm view on.

    “Some people just need all the deck in their favor to try to win. But it’s not gonna be enough. I’m still gonna win,” Allen told MMA News. “I accepted the five rounds; I asked for the five rounds. I’ve heard the explanations but I still don’t agree or understand it. But it’s above my pay grade. I think it’s bullsh*t that 10 and 12 guys are main event over four and seven, where we have title contentions possibly surrounding our fight.

    “I think it’s kind of a b*tch move that he (Imavov) doesn’t want to accept five rounds. Even as a co-main, he doesn’t want to accept five rounds,” Allen continued. “You wanna fight for the belt? You wanna stake your claim? Like, that’s how you do it. You go out there and win a five-round fight, even if it doesn’t go five rounds. … I don’t fully understand his reasoning, but I understand their logic. Some people just need all the cards in their favor as much as possible.”

    Regardless, Allen will still be looking to deliver a standout performance in the French capital to stake his claim for a long-awaited first shot at title glory on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    Having already won seven straight, perhaps the addition of the #4-ranked contender to his ever-growing résumé is the piece of the puzzle Allen needs to secure his spot opposite the champion next time out.

  • MMA News Today: Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal Reportedly ‘Did TNA Numbers’ On PPV, Jake Paul & Mike Perry Verbally Spar In Pre-Fight Face To Face, & More

    MMA News Today: Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal Reportedly ‘Did TNA Numbers’ On PPV, Jake Paul & Mike Perry Verbally Spar In Pre-Fight Face To Face, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 17, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Meltzer claims that Diaz vs. Masvidal did ‘horrible on PPV’
    • Paul & Perry trade words before July 20
    • City Kickboxing’s Jousset gets a big home fight in Paris

    Report States That Nate Diaz & Jorge Masvidal’s Boxing Match Massively Underperformed On PPV

    On a relatively quiet week for combat sports, former UFC stars Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal met inside a boxing ring.

    Many felt that their rematch earlier this month ended up being a better fight than expected, and the live attendance at the Honda Center appeared to be a good turnout.

    But a recent report suggests that despite the event being heavily spoken about, fans were not willing to pay the pay-per-view price to watch it live.

    Dave Meltzer stated on a recent episode of Observer Radio that the event did not perform well, comparing it to wrestling promotion Total Nonstop Action (TNA), which has always had a tough time competing against the WWE before the two companies started working together as of late.

    “It did horrible on PPV, it did TNA numbers. I’m not exaggerating. I knew it would not do well, but I was absolutely stunned how poorly it did. Nobody bought the fight. People are sick of seeing MMA fighters do boxing.”

    Jake Paul & Mike Perry Come Face To Face Ahead Of July 20

    Jake Paul returns to the ring this Saturday as he faces one of his toughest tests to date in BKFC star Mike Perry.

    Before they can meet on July 20 in a change of opponent for Paul, who was scheduled to be taking on Mike Tyson on this date, the two men came face to face.

    As you can expect from two bold characters, there were some certainly unique moments during their conversation. That included, at one point, both men seemingly doing “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan impressions.

    The highlight of the entire video was certainly the following quote from Perry, who has always had an unparalleled way with words…

    “Your little baby green punches can’t even f****** reach my brain stem bro. I’m gonna dig through your eyeball and find your memories.”

    Paul responded in the same way that pretty much everybody else would when being told that by the “King of Violence.”

    “Please don’t do that. Please don’t do that Mikey.”

    Kevin Jousset Books Home Fight In Paris Against Former TUF Winner

    Rising UFC welterweight and City Kickboxing fighter Kevin Jousset has got his next assignment, and it’s sure to be a bucket list one for him.

    The French fighter will finally be getting the opportunity to compete in front of his home fans when he makes the walk on September 28 in Paris.

    MMA Junkie’s Nolan King reported that Jousset is set to make his third Octagon appearance against The Ultimate Fighter season 29 winner Bryan Battle.

    Having competed in Australia and Las Vegas since signing to the promotion, it’s time for “Air” to get the home fighter treatment following his impressive winning streak.

    Read more on the story here.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • City Kickboxing Prospect Kevin Jousset Gets Home Fight, Faces TUF Winner At UFC Fight Night Paris

    City Kickboxing Prospect Kevin Jousset Gets Home Fight, Faces TUF Winner At UFC Fight Night Paris

    For the first time in his professional career, UFC welterweight prospect Kevin Jousset is set to compete in front of his compatriots.

    Jousset made a splash on debut last September in Sydney, following two-division championship glory under Australia’s Hex Fight Series banner with a first-round submission at UFC 293.

    The Frenchman has long trained alongside the likes of Israel Adesanya and Dan Hooker at New Zealand’s City Kickboxing, fighting exclusively in Oceania prior to his UFC signing. And having competed on United States soil for the first time in his sophomore Octagon outing, Jousset is now set for a homecoming this fall.

    Per MMA Junkie’s Nolan King, “Air” has been added to the upcoming UFC Fight Night in Paris, France, on September 28. There, he’s set for a step up in competition against Bryan Battle, winner of The Ultimate Fighter 29 middleweight tournament.

    Home Favorite Jousset Targets Third Straight UFC Win At The Expense Of Battle

    When Jousset makes the walk to what will no doubt be a positive reception at Accor Arena, he’ll be looking to maintain his perfect UFC slate.

    Jousset (10-2) lost two of his first seven pro fights, the first of which came against current top five welterweight contender Jack Della Maddalena under the Eternal MMA banner. But since a split decision setback in 2022, the 31-year-old has won five straight to have two titles in his possession, as well as a UFC contract.

    And after submitting Kiefer Crosbie Down Under and outpointing Song Kenan at the Apex last December, “Air” is next tasked with stalling the welterweight ambitions of Battle (10-2, 1 NC) in his first assignment of 2024.

    One fight on from his TUF triumph, “The Butcher” committed to a move down in weight, and he debuted at 170 pounds emphatically by knocking out Takashi Sato with a brutal head kick just 44 seconds into their fight. While he subsequently fell to a decision against the highly regarded Rinat Fakhretdinov, he bounced back with a 14-second knockout of Gabe Green and second-round submission of AJ Fletcher.

    Having had his strong start opposite Ange Loosa earlier this year rendered null when the Swiss fighter couldn’t continue following an eye poke, Battle will look to get back to the winner’s circle by upsetting Jousset’s home crowd in the French capital later this year.

    With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night in Paris on September 28 are as follows:

    • Renato Moicano vs. Benoît Saint Denis (lightweight main event)
    • Nassourdine Imavov vs. Brendan Allen (middleweight)
    • Germaine de Randamie vs. Nora Cornolle (women’s bantamweight)
    • William Gomis vs. Joanderson Brito (featherweight)
    • Kevin Jousset vs. Bryan Battle (welterweight)
    • Daniel Barez vs. Victor Altamirano (flyweight)
    • Oumar Sy vs. Da Woon Jung (light Heavyweight)
    • Dariya Zhelezniakova vs. Ailín Pérez (women’s bantamweight)