A War of Wills: Who Has the Edge Between Ruffy and Saint Denis?
Recently, it was announced that the co-main event for UFC Fight Night Paris will feature the well-known Lightweight contender Benoit Saint Denis taking on rising Brazilian star Mauricio Ruffy. Much like the main event, this card highlights a clash between Brazil’s "Fighting Nerds" and two of France’s top talents. Many fans are excited about this matchup, as both fighters are entering their primes and coming off victories. Saint Denis is looking to rediscover the form he showed early in his UFC run—when he emerged as a lethal prospect with dangerous grappling and knockout power. Ruffy, meanwhile, hopes to maintain his momentum as an undefeated prospect with elite kickboxing and impressive takedown defense. All of this sets up a compelling stylistic battle—and the question is: who will come out on top?
Benoit Saint Denis
Following a solid win over Kyle Prepolec, Benoit Saint Denis managed to retain his standing within the division. While Prepolec may not have been the toughest test, it was a necessary bounce-back after Saint Denis suffered back-to-back stoppage losses to Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano. For Saint Denis to succeed in this fight, he’ll need to be calculated in his striking, patiently looking for holes in Ruffy’s defense, and quickly closing the distance to engage in clinch scenarios. Ruffy’s kickboxing is much less effective when smothered in close quarters, and we’ve yet to see him tested extensively in the clinch. From there, Saint Denis can work for takedowns or try to inflict damage inside the pocket.
Mauricio Ruffy
Mauricio Ruffy enters the bout riding high after a highlight-reel spinning wheel kick knockout over King Green. Known for his sharp and powerful kickboxing, Ruffy has shown surprising composure for a young fighter and carries real knockout power for a Lightweight. However, his grappling remains largely untested. He has yet to attempt a takedown in the UFC, and while he currently holds a 100% takedown defense rate, that number will likely be challenged as he climbs the rankings. Against someone like Saint Denis, Ruffy must be ready to scramble off his back and use the cage to return to his feet if taken down. It may also be wise for him to limit the use of head kicks, which can open him up to takedown attempts. Instead, he should focus on sharp boxing combinations and leg kicks to slow Saint Denis’s forward pressure. Given Saint Denis’s questionable striking defense, Ruffy could quickly shift the momentum of the fight if he connects cleanly.
Conclusion
This is a highly competitive matchup between two dynamic and dangerous Lightweights, each with something to prove. The winner could earn a shot at a ranked opponent and take a major step forward in a stacked division. Expect a clash of styles, with Ruffy looking to maintain distance and land clean strikes, while Saint Denis will aim to turn the fight gritty and test Ruffy’s ground game. In the end, the edge may go to the fighter who can impose their style first. Given his striking advantages and Saint Denis’s defensive holes on the feet, Ruffy’s power and timing could make the difference.
