The moment of truth has arrived for Benoît Saint Denis. Ahead of his highly anticipated showdown with Beneil Dariush at UFC 322 in New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden this Friday, Saint Denis successfully made weight, tipping the scales at or below the required 70.76 kg limit.
Appearing sharp and focused, Saint Denis showed no signs of the grueling weight cut that often drains fighters. Despite the physical toll, his demeanor remained intense, a characteristic “God of War” stare accompanied by a signature tongue-out gesture, a subtle psychological tactic aimed at his opponent.
The hours leading up to the weigh-in were undoubtedly challenging for the French fighter. Like all competitors, Saint Denis underwent a drastic weight reduction, a process known as “cutting,” to compete in the lightweight division.His natural fighting weight is closer to 83 kg, making the drop to lightweight a significant undertaking.
His coach, Nicolas Ott, confirmed the fighter’s disciplined approach: “Benoît has kept himself at a reasonable weight, he will have a cut exactly similar to the one he usually has. He hasn’t gone as high as he can without a fight date, he has stayed at a weight that allows him to perform quickly so the cutting is not more arduous or less difficult.”
Expected to weigh Around 80 kg in the Cage
Saint Denis typically begins his weight management by dieting down to approximately 75-76 kg. The remaining weight is then shed through intense water loss techniques, including hot baths and sauna sessions, in the critical hours before stepping on the scale. This demanding but essential ritual is a common practice at the elite level of combat sports.
With the weigh-in successfully completed, Saint Denis can now fully shift his focus to the fight and the crucial 37 hours available for recovery and rehydration. His opponent,Beneil Dariush,will undergo a similar process,and both fighters are expected to enter the octagon at Madison square Garden weighing around 80 kg.
The fighters had their first face-to-face encounter on Thursday evening following the press conference. The interaction was marked by mutual respect, a sentiment echoed in their pre-fight discussions. saint Denis promised an exciting contest, stating, You’re going to see fireworks.
He added, Both of us don’t care about being on the main card, we just want to fight and show who is stronger. I can’t wait to be in the cage.
