Benoît Saint Denis
Saint Denis training in 2023
Born (1995-12-18) 18 December 1995
Nîmes, France
Other namesGod of War
ResidenceBayonne, France
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
DivisionLightweight (2022–present)
Super Lightweight (2020–2021)
Welterweight (2019–2020, 2021)
Middleweight (2019)
Reach73 in (185 cm)
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofParis, France
TeamWoirin Team Elite (2019–present)
TrainerDaniel Woirin (head coach, MMA, striking);
Christophe Savoca (grappling)
RankBlack belt in Judo
Years active2019–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins13
By knockout4
By submission9
Losses1
By decision1
No contests1
Other information
SpouseLaura Saint Denis
Children1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Benoît Saint Denis (born 18 December 1995) is a French professional mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of January 16, 2023, he is #11 in the UFC lightweight rankings.[1]

Background

Benoît Saint Denis at a shooting range.

Benoît Saint Denis was born in Nîmes, on December 18, 1995 as the eldest of five brothers.[2][3] His father was a French Army officer practising judo at a good level, and his mother was a teacher. Saint Denis practised judo in France and Germany from the age of 8 to 16 and earned a black belt. He also played football and rugby union in his youth.[2][4]

Prior to his MMA career, Saint Denis was a member of the 1st Marine Infantry Paratroopers Regiment, a unit of the French Army Special Forces Command. He served in Mali during the war and more generally in West Africa, fighting terrorist groups.[2] He was awarded the Medal of the Nation's gratitude and the Combatant's cross in September 2017. He left the army after five years of service in March 2019.[5]

Early kickboxing and BJJ career

Gold medal at the Paris Open IBJJF in spring 2018 in the light-heavyweight blue belt category.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu training at the Paulo Jackson academy, in Lille, september 2019.

Saint Denis began kick-boxing with Stéphane Susperregui and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) with Christophe Savoca in 2017 in the Bayonne region close to his regiment.[2][6][7]

He also competed in BJJ, winning the medium-heavyweight (under 88,3 kg/194 lbs) division, in blue belt, at the 2017 West Zone Championship in France.[8] He participated in the 2017 IBJJF Paris International Open No Gi Championship, in the medium-heavyweight (under 88,3 kg/194 lbs) division, taking 3rd place. [9][10]

He won the middleweight (under 82,3 kg/181 lbs) division, at blue belt, in the absolute category, and took 2nd place on the regular category at the 2018 West Zone Championship in France. [11] He won the medium-heavyweight division, in blue belt, at the IBJJF Paris International Open Gi Championship in Spring 2018.[12]

He was also the winner of both gi and no-gi divisions in the 2019 France National Championship, at blue belt in the middleweight (under 82,3 kg/181 lbs) division. He also participated in two shows for ACB JJ, notably facing Yusup Raisov, losing by points. [13] [14]

In September 2017, he started MMA and tested himself in the Invictus XV amateur tournament that he won in the welterweight division on December 16, 2017 in San Sebastián, Spain.[15] In July 2018, Christophe Savoca asked Luiz Tosta, a Brazilian colleague to host Saint Denis for a week at his MMA gym in London, Shootfighters, where Michael Page is training. The Brazilian confirmed that Saint Denis was capable of launching into professional MMA.[6][16]

Mixed martial arts career

Benoît Saint Denis with his head coach Daniel Woirin in 2023.

In Septembre 2018, Saint Denis stood out among thirty fighters during a test organized by Daniel Woirin,[17] a French coach renowned for having won three belts at UFC and two at Strikeforce with MMA champions Anderson Silva, Dan Henderson and Lyoto Machida.[18][19] Saint Denis, ending his contract with the army, decided to embark on a career as a professional MMA fighter early 2019. He gave himself two years to break through to the highest level in MMA. Two years was the time he had with his savings to train full time and get signed by the UFC.[20][21][22]

He joined the Bulgarian Top Team of French manager Giom Peltier and won six fights in eleven months.[23] Then the pace of the fights slowed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20][22] With Daniel Woirin, he stayed undefeated and went eight wins by finish in middleweight, welterweight and super lightweight divisions,[24][20] half of them at the Brave Combat Federation, where he ended up as the #1 Title contenter of the super lightweight division at the time he accepted to join the UFC.[25][26]

Ultimate Fighting Championship (2021–present)

2021

Saint Denis made his UFC debut in the welterweight division on short notice against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on October 30, 2021 at UFC 267. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[27]

2022

Cutting to lightweight, Saint Denis faced Niklas Stolze on June 4, 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik.[28] He won the bout after submitting Stolze via rear-naked choke in the second round.[29]

He was scheduled to face Christos Giagos on September 3, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 209, in Paris.[30] However, Giagos pulled out in August after a domestic accident. Consequently, Saint Denis faced Gabriel Miranda.[31] He won the fight via technical knockout in the early second round.[32] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[33]

2023

Saint Denis was scheduled to face Joe Solecki on February 18, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 219.[34] However, he withdrew from the bout due to ankle injury.[35]

Saint Denis was scheduled to face Vinc Pichel on July 1, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 48.[36] However, Pichel pulled out in late-May due to injury and was replaced by Ismael Bonfim.[37] Saint Denis won the fight via a first round rear-naked choke submission.[38]

For the beginning of his second contract with the UFC, Saint Denis faced Thiago Moisés on September 2, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 226, in Paris.[39] He won the fight by TKO at the second round.[40] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night bonus award.[41]

Saint Denis faced Matt Frevola on November 11, 2023 at UFC 295.[42] He won the fight via knockout in the first round and the victory earned him the Performance of the Night award.[43][44]

2024

Saint Denis is scheduled to face Dustin Poirier in a 5 round co-main for UFC 299 on March 9, 2024.[45]

Mixed martial arts style

Saint Denis mixed martial arts combat style is built around wrestling and submissions, and though he’s willing to stand and trade, he typically uses his striking to force opponents to the fence so he can look for takedowns and submissions.[26][46]

Saint Denis is a finisher. He exerts constant pressure on his opponent until he manages to finish him, ignoring counter strikes. This materializes in all thirteen wins by finish including four knockouts and nine submissions. Half of them occurred within the first round.[47][48]

Saint Denis chose God of War nickname, on the advice of his brothers, after his third professional victory.[49] This is reflecting his military and MMA warrior attitude.[50]

Saint Denis walkout track is based on the French Commandos’ song and Seine Saint-Denis Style from the french hip hop group Suprême NTM.[51]

Personal life

Benoît Saint Denis with his wife Laura.

Besides his MMA career, Saint Denis sometimes works as an instructor and a trainer for a French private security company named Chiron.[52][53]

He married his fiancée Laura, a week before his fight at UFC Fight Night 209.[54][55][56] The couple had a daughter in July 2023.[47]

Laura is a former French international futsal player who won the European Champions league with Toulouse Metropole FC.[2][57] She is working as a dog trainer and shooting instructor in the police[2] and she was the first French female police officer undergoing Special weapons and Tactics (SWAT) course.[58] Undergoing a Master degree in Sports Management, she is also Saint Denis' Agent, handling his sponsors and social networks.[2][59]

The cross of the Order of the Temple, tattooed on Benoît Saint Denis's left pectoral.

Benoit Saint Denis has four tattoos: the dagger from the French Special Forces, the samurai helmet from his first BJJ club, Joan of Arc for chivalrous spirit, and a Templar cross reminding the security missions he carried out in Mali.[21][60]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
15 matches 13 wins 1 loss
By knockout 4 0
By submission 9 0
By decision 0 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 13–1 (1) Matt Frevola KO (head kick) UFC 295 November 11, 2023 1 1:31 New York City, New York, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 12–1 (1) Thiago Moisés TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Spivak September 2, 2023 2 4:44 Paris, France Fight of the Night.
Win 11–1 (1) Ismael Bonfim Submission (face crank) UFC on ESPN: Strickland vs. Magomedov July 1, 2023 1 4:48 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–1 (1) Gabriel Miranda TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa September 3, 2022 2 0:16 Paris, France Performance of the Night.
Win 9–1 (1) Niklas Stolze Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik June 4, 2022 2 1:32 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lightweight debut.
Loss 8–1 (1) Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Decision (unanimous) UFC 267 October 30, 2021 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Welterweight bout. Zaleski was deducted one point in round 3 due to a groin strike. Result contested by Saint Denis.[70]
Win 8–0 (1) Arkaitz Ramos Gudari Submission (arm-triangle choke) Brave CF 52 August 1, 2021 1 3:09 Milan, Italy
Win 7–0 (1) Luan Santiago Submission (arm-triangle choke) Brave CF 49 March 25, 2021 2 3:51 Arad, Bahrain
Win 6–0 (1) Mario Saeed TKO (punches) Brave CF 38 August 8, 2020 2 1:49 Stockholm, Sweden Super Lightweight (165 lb) debut.
Win 5–0 (1) Ivica Trušček Submission (kneebar) Brave CF 34 January 19, 2020 1 3:39 Ljubljana, Slovenia
NC 4–0 (1) Paweł Kiełek NC (accidental clash of heads) Brave CF 28 November 4, 2019 2 5:00 Bucharest, Romania
Win 4–0 Ibragim Baisarov Submission (armbar) European Beatdown 7 October 12, 2019 1 2:47 Mons, Belgium
Win 3–0 Antoine Bensimon Submission (guillotine choke) Vic Fight: French Championship 2019 June 15, 2019 1 4:00 Longjumeau, France
Win 2–0 Artur Szczepaniak Submission (rear-naked choke) Staredown Fighting Championship 14 March 21, 2019 3 3:00 Antwerp, Belgium Welterweight debut. Won the vacant SFC Welterweight Championship.
Win 1–0 Marc Domont Technical Submission (guillotine choke) Lions Fighting Championship 8 February 16, 2019 1 3:29 Neuchâtel, Switzerland Middleweight debut.

[23]

See also

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
    2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Helwani, Ariel (2023-11-15). "The MMA Hour with Jake Paul, Benoit Saint-Denis in studio, Mayra Bueno Silva, Andre Ward, Steve Erceg, and more". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
    3. ↑ Odola, Octave (25 March 2021). "MMA : Benoît Saint-Denis, un "God of War" des forces spéciales dans l'arène". Le Parisien (in French). Retrieved 1 August 2022.
    4. ↑ Caserolles, Jérôme (14 March 2022). #116 Benoit Saint Denis - Des forces spéciales à l'UFC, parcours d'un guerrier combattant (in French) – via YouTube.
    5. ↑ Le chef du service administration du personnel du GSBdD PAU (13 February 2019). Etat signalétique et des services (in French). Armée de Terre.
    6. 1 2 Rousseau, Fred (2019-09-29). "God of War 2 : Qui ose gagne (UFC)". GONG (in French). Retrieved 2023-08-27.
    7. ↑ Rees, James (2020-12-14). "Getting to Know "The God Of War" Benoit Saint-Denis". Overtime Heroics. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
    8. ↑ Confédération Française de Jiu-Jitsu Brésilien. "Résultats coupe de la Zone Ouest 2017 BJJ". cfjjb.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-12-27.
    9. ↑ "Confédération Française de Jiu-Jitsu Brésilien". cfjjb.com. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
    10. ↑ "International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation -".
    11. ↑ Confédération Française de Jiu-Jitsu Brésilien (2018-11-10). "Résultats coupe de la Zone Ouest JJB 2018" (in French).
    12. ↑ "International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation -". www.ibjjfdb.com. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
    13. ↑ Confédération Française de Jiu-Jitsu Brésilien (2019-06-22). "Résultats championnats de France JJB 2019" (in French).
    14. ↑ "Benoit Saint Denis - Fighter profile". smoothcomp.com.
    15. ↑ Hispagimnasios (2017-10-01). "Invictus XV MMA, K1, Muay Thai, Grappling 16 De Diciembre. - Foro de artes marciales, deportes de contacto, musculación, fitness, salud". www.hispagimnasios.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-12-25.
    16. ↑ RMC Sport (2023-11-08), UFC 295 dimanche 2h - ITW C. Savoca : "BSD va amener Frevola en eaux troubles", retrieved 2023-12-24
    17. ↑ Card, Thomas (2018-11-06). "Venum lance sa team professionnelle française de MMA : l'équipe Elite Venum Training Camp". Gentside Sport (in French). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
    18. ↑ MMA Weekly (2015-05-10). "Radius Strike Series: Striking Coach Daniel Woirin". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
    19. ↑ Monsieur Bagarre (2022-07-27). "Qui est Daniel Woirin, l'entraineur de Benoit Saint-Denis ?" (in French). Retrieved 2022-08-13.
    20. 1 2 3 Peet, Nick (2023-11-08), Benoit Saint-Denis looks ahead to #UFC295 | TNT Sports, retrieved 2024-01-01
    21. 1 2 Robert, James (2021-10-30). "Benoît Saint-Denis, ex-special forces, before UFC 267: "I want to leave my mark on the UFC"". Retrieved 2022-08-13.
    22. 1 2 MMA Club Podcast. "Interview Benoit Saint Denis GOD OF WAR". YouTube (in French). Retrieved 2022-08-15.
    23. 1 2 Sherdog. "Benoit St. Denis". www.sherdog.com. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
    24. ↑ Leonte, Tudor. "French Invasion: Benoit St. Denis Signs with the UFC". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
    25. ↑ FightBookMMA (2021-08-08). "Benoit Saint-Denis Calls Out Eldar Eldarov After Emphatic BRAVE CF 52 Win". FightBook MMA. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
    26. 1 2 Beaupre, Drew (2021-10-30). "Octagon Oracles: Benoit Saint-Denis". MMA-Prospects.com. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
    27. ↑ Bitter, Shawn (30 October 2022). "UFC 267 Results: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Dominates Benoit Saint-Denis". Cageside Press. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
    28. ↑ Arshad (25 April 2022). "Niklas Stolze vs Benoit St. Denis Set for June 4 UFC Event". ITN WWE. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
    29. ↑ Anderson, Jay (4 June 2022). "UFC Vegas 56: Benoit Saint-Denis Submits Niklas Stolze for First UFC Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
    30. ↑ Hannoun, Farah (22 July 2022). "Christos Giagos vs. Benoit Saint-Denis added to UFC Paris on Sept. 3". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
    31. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2022-08-16). "Benoit St. Denis Gets New Opponent at UFC Paris, Welcomes Newcomer Gabriel Miranda". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
    32. ↑ Heck, Mike (2022-09-03). "UFC Paris video: Benoit Saint Denis thrills home crowd with destruction of Gabriel Miranda". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
    33. 1 2 Matthew Wells (2022-09-03). "UFC Fight Night 209 bonuses: Ciryl Gane, Tai Tuivasa's slugfest takes FOTN". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
    34. ↑ Herbinet, Alexandre. "UFC: Benoît Saint-Denis de retour dans la cage le 18 février contre Solecki". RMC Sport (in French). Retrieved 2022-11-04.
    35. ↑ Herbinet, Alexandre. "UFC: Benoît Saint-Denis forfait pour son combat du 18 février". RMC Sport (in French). Retrieved 3 February 2023.
    36. ↑ Martin, Damon (2023-05-17). "Vinc Pichel vs. Benoit Saint-Denis booked for UFC card on July 1". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
    37. ↑ Anthony Sterpigny (2023-05-27). "Benoit Saint-Denis changes opponent for UFC Vegas 76, the latter is even more dangerous". actumma.com. Retrieved 2023-05-27. (in French)
    38. ↑ Hiergesell, Dan (2023-07-01). "Highlights! Saint Denis Impressively Submits Contender Series Standout". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
    39. ↑ Ordway, Brady (2023-08-05). "Thiago Moises to face Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris this September". mymmanews.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
    40. ↑ Hiergesell, Dan (2023-09-02). "Highlights! Saint Denis Batters, Bloodies Moises For Impressive TKO". www.mmamania.com. Retrieved 2023-09-02.
    41. 1 2 MMA Junkie Staff (2023-09-02). "UFC Fight Night 226 bonuses: French winners, including Benoit Saint-Denis, dominate bonus recipients list". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
    42. ↑ Bohn, Mike (2023-09-22). "Streaking lightweights Matt Frevola, Benoit Saint-Denis set for UFC 295 clash". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
    43. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2023-11-11). "UFC 295: Benoit Saint-Denis Shocks Matt Frevola with Head Kick". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
    44. 1 2 Chris Taylor (2023-11-11). "UFC 295 Bonus Report: Seven fighters take home an extra $50k". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
    45. ↑ Martin, Damon (2024-01-08). "Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint Denis set for five-round co-main event at UFC 299". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
    46. ↑ Bitter, Shawn (2021-10-29). "Welcome to the UFC: Benoit Saint-Denis". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
    47. 1 2 "Interview croisées - Benoît Saint Denis X Daniel Woirin". YouTube (in French). Retrieved 2022-08-16.
    48. 1 2 Kyte, Spencer (2023-11-24). "Monthly Report | November 2023 | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
    49. ↑ "MMA : Benoît Saint-Denis, la résilience d'un guerrier, des forces spéciales à l'UFC". Franceinfo (in French). 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
    50. ↑ Latrell, Steve (2022-09-02). "The Special Forces Of Benoît Saint Denis | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
    51. ↑ Fridley, Mike (2022-09-03). "The Walkmen: All UFC Paris Walkout Tracks". www.sherdog.com. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
    52. ↑ La Sueur (28 October 2021). Benoît St-Denis sort l'artillerie lourde, combattant UFC et Forces Spéciales ! – La Sueur En Sueur (in French) – via YouTube.
    53. ↑ Chiron Solutions. "Notre équipe". Chiron (in French). Retrieved 1 August 2022.
    54. ↑ Malice, Florent (6 June 2022). "Benoît Saint-Denis demande l'UFC... Londres, pas Paris : les raisons". La Sueur (in French). Retrieved 1 August 2022.
    55. ↑ Le Coz, Yohann (2022-08-14). "MMA : "On a des combattants solides et on va le prouver", le champion Benoît Saint-Denis se prépare pour le premier combat UFC en France". Franceinfo (in French). Retrieved 2022-08-14.
    56. ↑ Saint-Denis, Benoît [@benoitst_denis] (28 August 2022). "Nous nous sommes dit OUI pour l'éternité devant Dieu & nos Familles" [We both said 'yes' for all eternity before God and our families.] (in French). Domaine Mas Auroux, Claret. Retrieved 30 August 2022 – via Instagram.
    57. ↑ AFFS. "Toulouse Métropole FC champion d'Europe ! | Association française de Futsal" (in French). Retrieved 2022-08-15.
    58. ↑ Carrière, Corinne (20 April 2019). "La Toulousaine Laura Proudhom est la première femme policière municipale de France à décrocher un brevet américain". France 3 Occitanie (in French). Retrieved 2022-08-15.
    59. ↑ Zaoui, Hocine (2024-01-14). "Laura Saint Denis, la femme de l'ombre derrière la star de MMA". ladepeche.fr (in French). Retrieved 2024-01-16.
    60. ↑ Zeller, Cyriac (2022-11-15). "Benoit Saint-Denis, Force spéciale". Famille Chrétienne (in French). Retrieved 2022-11-15.
    61. ↑ Samier, Thibault (2023-10-03). "Benoît Saint-Denis reçoit une grande récompense de l'UFC !". La Sueur (in French). Retrieved 2023-10-09.
    62. ↑ Porter, Gavin (2023-10-31). "The Furious Rise Of Benoît Saint Denis | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
    63. ↑ Pettry, Jay (2022-09-05). "Fight Facts: UFC Fight Night 209 'Gane vs. Tuivasa'". www.sherdog.com. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
    64. ↑ Linfo.re (2023-11-15). "UFC : Benoît Saint-Denis devient le premier français à intégrer le Top 15 des poids légers". www.linfo.re. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
    65. ↑ "The Fighters | 2023 UFC.com Awards | UFC". www.ufc.com. 2023-12-23. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
    66. ↑ "Record Book | UFC". statleaders.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
    67. ↑ BRAVE Combat Federation [@bravemmaf] (30 December 2020). "Submission of the Year for the 2020 BRAVE CF Year of Change Awards -Benoit St. Denis" – via Instagram.
    68. ↑ Clifton, Michael (2021-03-26). "BRAVE CF 49: Benoit St. Denis Books Title Fight After Submission Win Over Luan Santiago". www.lowkickmma.com. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
    69. ↑ "Artur Szczepaniak vs. Benoit Saint-Denis, Staredown 14 | MMA Bout". Tapology. 2019-03-16. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
    70. ↑ Anderson, Jay (30 August 2023). "UFC Paris: Benoit Saint-Denis believes octagon debut Loss should be No Contest". cagesidepress.com.
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