Benoît Saint-Denis arrives in Sydney this weekend to tackle Dan Hooker at UFC 325, a matchup with vital implications for the light-weight division. The light-weight semi-main occasion will likely be held at Qudos Financial institution Enviornment on January 31, 2026, with the French fighter competing in 2025 after a consecutive hiatus. Saint-Denis just lately knocked out Beneil Darish in 16 seconds in November, positioning him as a powerful contender.
Benoît Saint-Denis able to compete at UFC 325
“I used to be fairly shocked by the timing of the struggle, however understanding it was subsequent to his nation made it extra clear why they needed him to struggle right here. In my thoughts I used to be already in vacation mode, however I needed to change again on, as a result of BSD vs. Dan Hooker, there isn’t any want for promotion. It is going to be wasted,” defined Saint-Denis within the pre-match press convention. The French fighter has all 16 wins on his file, 11 of which have been by submission and 4 by knockout. Though his hanging has grow to be more and more sharp, his submission arsenal stays a constant menace.
“I predict the winner of this struggle will likely be within the high 5 and I count on him to look to maneuver on. In fact, I’m within the two most violent belts within the UFC, the light-weight Andis debate title and BMF in my head,” he mentioned. “I’ll discuss concerning the Paddy Pimblett-Justin Gaethje struggle after my conflict with Dan Hooker if I’m certified to speak about it.”
That want hinges on beating Hooker, a 35-year-old veteran who’s ranked No. 6 within the division. The New Zealand fighter, who has a file of 24 wins and 13 losses and has expertise combating elite fighters, entered the struggle after struggling a submission loss to Arman Tsarukian in November.
The central narrative of this struggle facilities round ending price and energy. Hooker questioned Saint-Denis’ knockout file, citing a small pattern of finishes with strikes. Saint-Denis responded on to the criticism. “He mentioned I am not a finisher or a knockout artist as a result of I simply knocked out Beneil Darish. He’ll discover out from Saturday to Sunday. I do not know what number of knockout playing cards he has within the UFC. I’ve 4. He has a one hundred pc end price, a mix of submissions and knockouts. He is aware of it should be one thing, and I feel he’ll struggle one of the best model of him. I hope he is a greater fighter and wins,” mentioned Saint-Denis.
Combating at 5’11” and 155 lbs., Saint-Denis has a measurement benefit over Hooker at light-weight and has confirmed able to imposing his will in latest bouts. His latest performances in opposition to Luffy and Prepolec have made him a very good candidate for grappling. Hooker’s latest struggles with stress fighters like Tsarukian might give Saint-Denis a chance to manage the tempo.
Saint-Denis admitted to jet lag from touring to Australia, however mentioned he was properly ready. “The explanation we come early is simply to soak up the jet lag. There is a huge jet lag right here, however we’re getting used to it. The primary time I got here to Australia was in Perth in 2016 and that is my second time. It is an awesome nation,” he mentioned. The bout will happen at Qudos Financial institution Enviornment in Sydney’s Olympic Park, and would be the UFC’s eighth go to to Sydney.
The winner of this matchup will likely be in place to maneuver right into a respectable title shot at 155 kilos. The victory marks Saint-Denis’ third consecutive stoppage victory and units them up for a match in opposition to a high contender. For Hooker, a win would mark a restoration from latest losses and reignite his championship ambitions.
