The UFC has hosted some of the most impressive fights in history, presenting audiences with unforgettable moments of victory, defeat, resilience, and strength. The matchup between Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299 promises to be another quality addition to the catalogue. Both fighters are seen as top competitors in their respective classes, but only one can come out on top. Today, we dive deep into an analysis of both fighters, looking at their past performances, skill sets, and strategies, in order to predict the outcome of this much-anticipated match.
Starting with Dustin Poirier, the American professional mixed martial artist has a distinguished fighting record. Poirier is ranked third in the UFC lightweight rankings and has been a professional competitor since 2009. His fighting style is marked by aggressiveness, speed, and a notable ability to absorb hits. His resilience and never-back-down attitude have seen him overcome some of the biggest names in the industry, including Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, and Justin Gaethje.
Poirier’s proficiency lies in his striking. His balance of strength, speed, and precision makes him a dangerous contender. He switches effortlessly between orthodox and southpaw stances, throwing off his opponents’ guard with complex combinations. What makes Poirier an anomaly, though, is his durability. He can take a hit and return it two-fold, showcased during his bout against Dan Hooker at UFC Vegas 4, where he triumphed despite Hooker’s assault.
On the other hand, we have Benoit Saint Denis, a French professional mixed martial artist who has rapidly ascended the ranks of the UFC, earning the nickname “God of War”. Despite being relatively new to the UFC, Saint Denis has used his time effectively to showcase his skills and durability. A noted special forces soldier in the French military, he has utilized unbearable training conditions to build his resilience in the octagon. He’s touted for an aggressive ground game, even though his striking is decent.
His fighting style could be described as clinical. Saint Denis approaches each fight with a tactical mindset, of a special forces soldier that he used to be. His strategy usually involves taking down his opponents early in the game, draining their energy, and then capitalizing on their fatigue. His grappling and submission skills are tough to match, and combined with his striking ability, he presents a worrying picture for his adversaries.
The match between Poirier and Saint Denis at UFC 299 is, undoubtedly, going to be a major highlight in the MMA calendar. Not only is it a meeting of two incredible athletes, but it’s also a training ground for a veteran and a skilled newcomer.
If Poirier can keep the fight standing and shower Saint Denis with his relentless assaults, he has a higher likelihood of emerging victorious. The American’s reach, combined with his striking ability, could very well disturb Saint Denis’s rhythm. On the flip side, Saint Denis aims to take the fight to the ground, where he can apply his wrestling skills and submission holds effectively. If he manages to do this, he could potentially gain the upper hand and wear out Poirier.
Going by the odds, Saint Denis is seen as the slight favorite with -130 against Poirier’s +110. This fractional difference reflects the tight competition between the two. However, despite the odds, it seems, at first glance, that Poirier’s experience and striking ability may be key in overcoming Saint Denis. The latter’s ground game, while impressive, will likely be tested beyond anything he’s faced before, and it may be difficult to execute against a vastly experienced fighter like Poirier, who has faced renowned grapplers such as Khabib Nurmagomedov.
To sum up, the fight between Poirier and Saint Denis at UFC 299 is poised to be a battle between experience and new talent, striking abilities and wrestling, resilience, and strategy. It’s a fight that would come down to who can resist the other’s plan better. Given Poirier’s impeccable record, his striking prowess, and his experience dealing with fighters of different genres, we predict he could edge out Saint Denis in an epic slugfest.
However, in the UFC, anything is possible, and Saint Denis might well surprise us. He could rise to the occasion and pull off an upset, further solidifying his status as the ‘God of War.’ It’s why we are waiting eagerly for this Battle Royale at UFC 299, where every moment, every blow, and every decision will decide who walks out of the Octagon as the victor.
