“Submit Oliveira, knock out Gaethje, and tactical fight against Islam,” Dustin Poirier’s rival Benoit Saint-Denis adds lightweight’s top guns to hitlist

Lightweight contender Benoit Saint-Denis is approaching the biggest fight of his MMA career run. ‘The God of War‘ makes his seventh trip to the Octagon for a match against 155lbs stalwart and former interim champ Dustin Poirier on March 9th. Amassing some recent confusion on not fighting Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299. ‘Diamond‘ had shocked the MMA world to the core. But he later took to clarifying the misunderstanding on his part, stating that the match was on.

Hence, as such, both fighters are falling into the mind frame of the hash out yet again. Benoit Saint-Denis last fought against fellow military veteran, Matt Frevola at UFC 295. Bagging a remarkable knockout win against the foe, his heartfelt Veteran’s Day tribute, thanking America for saving France in WWII went viral. Wanting a similar favorable and tactical output yet again, he said to MMA coverage’s Mike Owens in a MiddleEasy.com exclusive interview:

To be honest I was expecting a tough fight, a tough opponent, and a tough contender, I was filled with joy with having Dustin Poirier across the Octagon against me ...And it’s one of the toughest divisions out there because, with five finishes in a row, you can only expect to be facing those kinds of guys...I want to submit [Charles] Oliveira, I want to knock out Justin Gaethje, and I want to win a tactical fight against Islam Makhachev. I want to be in the best shape and as dangerous as possible.

Benoit Saint-Denis via MiddleEasy.com

The fast-streaking 155lber meets Poirier in a 5-round co-main event at UFC 299, at Kaseya Center in Miami. But ‘The God of War‘ is already planning his battles for the UFC’s crowded lightweight title contention scenario. Ever since bagging his gold, lightweight king Islam Makhachev has yet to defend it against a fellow lightweight. His only defense came against Alexander Volkanovski‘s 2-division glory.

As such, he has accumulated quite a plethora of challenges. Makhachev wants Justin Gathje next; while former champ, Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan is the No. 1 contender fight, and that of Poirier has potential #1 contender implications. Saint-Denis aims at overtaking them all with his battle acumen. However, not everyone is acclimating well to his chances and aspirations.

Chael Sonnen can’t fathom Dustin Poirier as the underdog at UFC 299

UFC has announced a handful of lightweight affairs for this year. Arguably the most stacked division, the weight class concurrently boasts big names of the brand.

“BMF” Justin Gaethje is in the sights of the current champ. He faces Max Holloway (making his way back to the weight class after 5 years). Additionally, speaking to MMA coverage journo Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports, Holloway recently nudged being down to run for both titles. Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan as the No. 1 contender fight for UFC 300 is the next deciding factor.

Consequently, the winner of Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis could have a say as well. Ahead of UFC 299, Poirier has opened a betting underdog for oddsmakers. And veteran commentator Chael Sonnen finds that dumbfounding and a “colossal mistake”. Speaking at his YouTube segment “Beyond the Fight“, he said –

Don’t forget, Poirier’s an underdog, which is a colossal mistake...There is no justification for whoever set that line. They had better sit there crossing their fingers that they get that one right because there is nothing by the numbers that they can point to justify telling DraftKings, my partner, that they should put more money opposite Poirier than for him.

Chael Sonnen via Beyond the fight

Even the seasoned Poirier is a +114 underdog against the betting favorite Saint-Denis. Partly responsible for that, as Sonnen nudges, is perceptions. Saint-Denis served in the 1st Marine Infantry Paratroopers Regiment, assigned to the French Army’s Special Forces Command. He served in wartime Mali and generally in West Africa, fighting terrorist groups.

Thus, Saint-Denis and his training montages have left fight fans in awe. Saint-Denis extended his winning streak to five at UFC 295. Sonnen quips that hopefully the oddsmakers get this one right because not all perceptions hold to the end.

In case you missed it:

• Military veteran Benoit Saint Denis extends INVITATION to French President Emmanuel Macron to attend UFC 299
• ‘Bald’ Dustin Poirier teams up with TOP lightweight contender ahead of stacked UFC 299 card

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