The UFC heads to Paris, France, with a stacked card culminating in an exciting lightweight showdown between Renato “Money” Moicano and hometown hero Benoit Saint-Denis. With a focus on betting insights, the hosts of Ringside Report MMA – Dave Simon, Fred Garcia, and AJ D’Alesio – broke down the main event and shared their thoughts on the action-packed card that promises fireworks at the Accor Arena.
Main Event: Moicano vs. Saint-Denis Breakdown
Renato Moicano (17-5-1) enters this fight with momentum on his side, having solidified his spot in the lightweight division. Moicano, who previously competed at featherweight, has found new life at 155 pounds, stringing together an impressive series of victories. His most recent win over Jalin Turner at UFC 300 marked his fifth win in six fights, with four of those coming by finish.
Meanwhile, Benoit Saint-Denis (12-2) is looking to bounce back after a tough loss against Dustin Poirier at UFC 299. Fighting in Paris for the third consecutive year, Saint-Denis will have the hometown crowd on his side as he seeks to return to the win column in this critical lightweight battle.
Dave Simon gave a strong endorsement for Moicano, highlighting his improved striking and slick submission game. “Moicano’s been on fire, finishing guys left and right. I think he’s going to come in confident and put Saint-Denis in a world of trouble.“
However, Fred Garcia disagreed, noting that Saint-Denis has proven himself to be a durable and relentless fighter. “Benoit is one of those guys who thrives under pressure, especially in front of his home crowd. He’s tough, he’s gritty, and he doesn’t shy away from wars. Moicano’s good, but I think Saint-Denis will outlast him in the later rounds.“
Key Factors for Betting on Moicano vs. Saint-Denis
Both fighters bring finishing power but absorb a lot of damage. Cardio and fight IQ will play a significant role in this matchup. Moicano’s submission skills and versatility in striking give him an edge on the feet, while Saint-Denis will rely on his grappling and ability to grind down opponents.
For bettors looking to place their money, Moicano’s submission threat is worth considering as he could potentially catch Saint-Denis in a scramble. On the other hand, Saint-Denis’ relentless pace and aggression may wear down Moicano if the fight goes into the later rounds.
- Betting Tip: Moicano to win by submission or Saint-Denis by decision could be smart plays, given their respective strengths.
Co-Main Event: Imavov vs. Allen
Nassourdine Imavov (12-4) takes on Brendan Allen (21-5) in the co-main event, a battle between two rising middleweights looking to crack into the upper echelon of the division. Imavov, who trains out of Paris, is another fighter who will benefit from the hometown crowd as he faces the well-rounded Allen, who’s coming off a dominant submission victory.
Dave believes Imavov’s striking will give him the edge: “Imavov’s got that sharp striking, and fighting in Paris, I think he’ll rise to the occasion. Allen’s a tough guy, but I don’t see him dealing well with Imavov’s pressure.“
But, again, Fred has a different view: “Allen is no joke on the ground. If he can get Imavov to the mat, I think we’ll see him control the fight. Allen’s submission game is slick, and Imavov has had issues with grapplers in the past.“
This fight is another close one for bettors, but the hosts agreed that it’s likely to end inside the distance, either by Imavov’s knockout or Allen’s submission.
- Betting Tip: Consider a prop bet on the fight, not going the distance or Allen by submission.
Undercard to Watch: Gomis vs. Brito
Another exciting fight on the card features William Gomis (11-2) taking on Joanderson Brito (15-3-1). This featherweight bout is expected to deliver fast-paced action, with both fighters known for their explosiveness. Gomis, another French fighter, will have the crowd behind him, but Brito’s knockout power makes him a dangerous opponent.
AJ D’Alesio was particularly excited about this matchup: “I love Brito in this one. The guy is a finisher, and I think he’ll come out looking to knock Gomis out early. But you can’t count out Gomis in front of his home crowd. It’s going to be a banger for sure.“
- Betting Tip: Brito to win by KO/TKO is a good value bet, but don’t sleep on Gomis to pull off an upset with the backing of the Paris crowd.
Key Takeaways for Bettors
- Moicano’s submission game is a major factor to consider, especially in the first two rounds. If Saint-Denis can drag the fight into the later rounds, he might have the advantage with his relentless pace.
- Imavov vs. Allen is another bout where a finish seems likely. Imavov’s striking against Allen’s ground game makes this fight intriguing for prop bets.
- The undercard features several explosive matchups, with Brito vs. Gomis standing out as a fight that could end in a knockout.
Conclusion
UFC Paris promises to deliver a night full of exciting fights, with hometown favourites like Saint-Denis and Imavov looking to shine in front of a passionate French crowd. For those looking to place bets, focusing on potential finishes in both the main and co-main events could yield significant returns. Whether you’re backing Moicano’s slick submission game or Saint-Denis’ relentless style, the fights in Paris are set to provide plenty of action.
Main Event: Moicano vs. Saint-Denis Breakdown
Renato Moicano (17-5-1) is on a roll, having cemented his place in the lightweight division. Moicano, who used to fight at featherweight, has found new life at 155 and has been on a tear. His last win over Jalin Turner at UFC 300 was his 5th win in 6 fights, with 4 being finishes.
Benoit Saint-Denis (12-2) is looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 299. Fighting in Paris for the 3rd time in a row, Saint-Denis will have the hometown crowd behind him as he looks to get back in the win column in this big lightweight fight.
Dave Simon likes Moicano, which highlights his improved striking and slick submission game. “Moicano’s been on fire, finishing guys left and right. I think he will come in confident and put Saint-Denis in a world of trouble.“
However, Fred Garcia disagreed, noting that Saint-Denis has proven himself a durable and relentless fighter. “Benoit is one of those guys who thrives under pressure, especially in front of his home crowd. He’s tough, gritty, and doesn’t shy away from wars. Moicano’s good, but I think Saint-Denis will outlast him in the later rounds.“
Critical Factors for Betting on Moicano vs. Saint-Denis
Both fighters can finish, but they also take a lot of damage. Cardio and fight IQ will play big roles in this fight. Moicano’s submission skills and striking versatility give him an edge on the feet, while Saint-Denis will look to grind down his opponents.
For bettors, consider Moicano’s submission threat, as he could catch Saint-Denis in a scramble. Or Saint-Denis’ pace and aggression could wear Moicano down in the later rounds.
- Betting Tip: Moicano to win by submission or Saint-Denis by decision could be smart plays, given their respective strengths.
Co-Main Event: Imavov vs. Allen
Nassourdine Imavov (12-4) takes on Brendan Allen (21-5) in the co-main event, two rising middleweights looking to get into the top 10 of the division. Imavov trains out of Paris, so he will have the hometown crowd behind him as he faces the well-rounded Allen coming off a dominant submission win.
Dave believes Imavov’s striking will give him the edge: “Imavov’s got that sharp striking, and fighting in Paris, I think he’ll rise to the occasion. Allen’s a tough guy, but I don’t see him dealing well with Imavov’s pressure.“
But again, Fred has a different view: “Allen is no joke on the ground. If he can get Imavov to the mat, we’ll see him control the fight. Allen’s submission game is slick, and Imavov has had issues with grapplers in the past.“
This fight is another close one for bettors, but the hosts agreed that it’s likely to end inside the distance, either by Imavov’s knockout or Allen’s submission.
- Betting Tip: Consider a prop bet on the fight, not going the distance or Allen by submission.
Undercard to Watch: Gomis vs. Brito
Another good fight on the card is William Gomis (11-2) vs Joanderson Brito (15-3-1). The Featherweight bout is expected to be fast-paced, with both fighters explosive. Gomis is another French fighter, so he’ll have the crowd behind him, but Brito’s got knockout power.
AJ D’Alesio was particularly excited about this matchup: “I love Brito in this one. The guy is a finisher, and I think he’ll come out looking to knock Gomis out early. But you can’t count out Gomis in front of his home crowd. It’s going to be a banger for sure.“
- Betting Tip: Brito winning by KO/TKO is a good value bet, but don’t sleep on Gomis pulling off an upset with the backing of the Paris crowd.
Key Thoughts for Bettors
- Moicano’s submission game is significant, especially in the first two rounds. If Saint-Denis can drag the fight into the later rounds, he might have the advantage with his relentless pace.
- Imavov vs. Allen is another bout where a finish seems likely. Imavov’s striking against Allen’s ground game makes this fight intriguing for prop bets.
- The undercard features several explosive matchups, with Brito vs. Gomis standing out as a fight that could end in a knockout.
End of the Day
UFC Paris will be a fun night of fights, with hometown heroes Saint-Denis and Imavov looking to impress the Paris crowd. If you’re betting, focus on the finishes in the main and co-main events, and you’ll be in for a good time. Whether you like Moicano’s submission game or Saint-Denis’ pace, it will be a good night of fights.
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