A rare five-round co-main event is upon us.
At UFC 299, former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier will fight down the ladder as he takes on #12 ranked Benoit Saint-Denis. Poirier’s been a staple at 155lbs for several years, fighting champions and top contenders alike.
‘The Diamond’ still holds down a top spot in the lightweight division at #3, which he puts on the line once again. Poirier suffered a setback in his last time out where he was knocked out by Justin Gaethje in their rematch at UFC 291 in July.
For France’s Saint-Denis, no fight has been bigger for the lightweight prospect than Poirier. The 28 year-old has an impressive record of 13-1 and finished each of his last five fights to earn a top-5 contender.
The co-headliner takes place from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Round 1:
BSD starts targeting the lead leg of Poirier with kicks. Saint-Denis eats a punch as he rushes in for takedown. Poirier goes for a guillotine but Saint-Denis doesn’t let off Poirier. Poirier tries to seize the back. Saint-Denis swarms Poirier with strikes, tying up his combos effectively. BSD uses a kimura attempt to turn Poirier around on the ground. BSD shoots for another takedown, getting Poirier down. BSD wraps the back of Poirier, with the former interim champ fighting the hands of a submission. Poirier fights off an armbar and survives a kimura attempt at the end of the round.
CDS: 10-9 Saint-Denis
Round 2:
Poirier clips BSD on the way in and attempts a guillotine on the Frenchman. BSD topples Poirier, seizing the back. BSD goes to work on the feet, but Poirier stands his ground, trading himself. Poirier chips away at BSD with shots and follows it up with a crisp right hook that wobbles Saint-Denis. Saint-Denis looks to secure his legs and Poirier contemplates going for the guillotine submission again.
Poirier lets it go, choosing to exchange Saint-Denis. Saint-Denis looks to land but is caught by a brutal right hook that sits him down. ‘The Diamond’ lands one more shot on the ground before the referee stops the action.
Official result: Dustin Poirier defeats Benoit Saint-Denis by KO (punch) in round 2 (2:32)
Check out the highlights below:
DUSTIN POIRIER KNOCKS OUT BENOIT SAINT-DENIS!!#UFC299
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 10, 2024
https://t.co/PBPwH3vVuT
OMG DUSTIN POIRIER 😳 pic.twitter.com/SoTgmEzEv3
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) March 10, 2024
"Hold your position or lose it." 👏
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 10, 2024
💎 @DustinPoirier is an absolute legend of this game, be grateful for the battles this man has given us! #UFC299 pic.twitter.com/EAm829A070
