Get ready for a wild ride! Beneil Dariush and Benoit Saint Denis face off in the main card opener of UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden in New York, and things are about to get intense.
The Fighters:
Beneil Dariush (23-6-1 MMA, 17-6-1 UFC) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Renato Moicano, snapping a two-fight losing streak. However, he's struggled with weight issues, missing weight for the second time in his UFC career. Prior to his losses to Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, Dariush had an impressive eight-fight winning streak.
Benoit Saint Denis (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is looking to bounce back from a rough 2024 campaign, where he was stopped in back-to-back fights. This year, he's shown signs of improvement, finishing Kyle Prepolec and Mauricio Ruffy in the second round, with the latter earning him a Performance of the Night bonus.
The Matchup:
This southpaw vs. southpaw showdown promises to be a thrilling encounter. Dariush has more experience and a better record against UFC-level lefties (3-1-1), but his chin has been questioned. Saint Denis, on the other hand, is 1-1 against top-level southpaws, with a win over Kyle Prepolec and a loss to Dustin Poirier.
The Prediction:
While Saint Denis has youth on his side, Dariush's skills and experience might give him the edge he needs to survive the early rounds and secure a stoppage win in Round 2. It's a risk, considering Dariush's weight miss, but it's one worth taking.
The Odds:
Saint Denis is the favorite, listed at -194, while Dariush is the underdog at +156 via FanDuel.
The Main Event:
Catch the fight live on ESPN+ pay-per-view at approximately 10:10 p.m. ET.
