Renato Moicano and Benoit Saint-Denis met Saturday on the top bill of the main card of UFC Paris (UFC Fight Night 243) at Accor Arena. From the get-go, this was a war on all cylinders. However, the end was unceremonious even though the Brazilian won through mettle. A doctor of all people had to spoil an entertaining battle.
This was an intriguing clash between 155lbers officially in the UFC’s top-15 rankings. Moicano fought in his first headliner as a lightweight and second overall. With sage guidance from Dustin Poirier, the American Top Team (ATT) fighter knew to negate Saint-Desis’ potential for a butterfly sweep. Reversing his affinity, Moicano started working the Frenchman from half guard.
However, Benoit Saint-Denis went belly down, and the Brazilian glued with a body triangle. There were some avenues for pent-up issues to work out on foreign soil. Still, ‘Money’ Moicano worked tactile. His six submission victories by rear-naked choke in UFC competition are the third highest. Hence, it’s never easy to give the back to him. Another body triangle and Moicano brought a hellfire of elbows and ground-and-pound from a mount on the French star.
⚔️ Renato Moicano via TKO. Doctor didn’t let BSD to continue. pic.twitter.com/zlSzr9Vs7F
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) September 28, 2024
IT’S OVER! 😲 #UFCParis
The fight has been waved off and Renato Moicano gets the TKO win over Benoit Saint Denis! pic.twitter.com/d4FCn5jrpZ
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) September 28, 2024
After a clear contender for a 10-8 frame, Benoit Saint-Denis went well, with 3-0 defense on takedowns. He even fired some shots in range. However, Moicano worked him up upstairs yet again, patiently looking for counters. After a head-kick attempt block from Moicano, his eye was as swollen as ever. The doctor put a stop to it soon. Renato Moicano defeated him via s via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – in round 2.
MMA Pro Twitter reacts to UFC Paris Main Event
The weekend’s UFC Paris (UFC Fight Night 243) spectacle saw many things happen. Kicking off with an electric start. To a UFC star going through the journey of ‘Faint, Flex, Fans’ (OnlyFans) with her shock submission. Veteran Matt Frevola did not fare well against a KO of the Year contender worth knee. The main feature was to be a top-notch bout between Renato ‘Money’ Moicano and Benoit Saint-Denis.
Renato Moicano’s doctor’s stoppage TKO win over Benoit Saint-Denis draws many reactions (Source: Instagram/msn.com)By all means, it was. Moicano (20-5-1 MMA, 12-5 UFC) went into enemy territory and had a better showing. He is now 7-1 since he moved up to the UFC lightweight division in March 2020. He played Spoiler vs. Benoit Saint-Denis but got to go only halfway due to a second-round doctor’s stoppage TKO.
Between rounds, the doctor checked on the fighter’s vision. Saint-Denis failed the vision test out of his right eye to count on, and hence, the bout came to an end. Here are a few top X reactions to Moicano beating him on technique and technicality at UFC Fight Night 243:
R1 – Renato vs. BSD – Already on the ground, Renato on top. BSD using butterfly hooks.
Scramble and Renato is on the back! #UFCParis
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) September 28, 2024
Oh shit. Moicano on the back, full body triangle
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 28, 2024
Moicano’s transitions on the ground are smooth like butter! Domination #UFCParis
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) September 28, 2024
This isn’t looking good. BSD will need to rely on his hands. If his kicking game keeps getting caught like RD 1 this fight is over this round.
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 28, 2024
Money Monicano ain’t playing any games
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) September 28, 2024
Money @moicanoufc is smoking him ! It’s the money line too in enemy territory! 🔥🔥
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) September 28, 2024
10-9 Saint Denis in the 2nd. Like I said… No quit in that man.
19-18 Moicano
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) September 28, 2024
The fight is over. It’s a bummer, but Saint Denis also looks like he was stung by a hive of bees #UFCParis
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) September 28, 2024
With respect to any dissenting opinions from fighters and fans alike, that’s a win for fighter safety. And how about Renato ‘Money’ Moicano? Another tough test = passed. #UFCParis
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) September 28, 2024
It’s over! Renato Moicano gets the doctor’s stoppage TKO over Benoit Saint Denis in the #UFCParis main event. pic.twitter.com/SfxGvDj3Y1
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 28, 2024
Most have unanimously agreed that the BJJ savant had a proper showing, taking Saint-Denis’ back, and that this is a triumph for fighter safety. The godfather of British MMA, Michael Bisping, was on active desk duty and Live commentary. Without the permanent damage the ‘Count’ took in his eye, even he called attention to the swelling early on.
Moicano is on a four-fight winning streak and has taken things up a notch in his career. He had a tough test against a berserker, and he got it done. Now, ‘Money’ moves on to bigger challenges as he guns to make a title run with exciting opponents in mind.
