How UFC 322 undercard star matched Alex Pereira and Islam Makhachev with his 16-second KO

Benoit Saint-Denis tied Islam Makhachev and Alex Pereira for the most UFC finishes since 2021

‘God of War’ had a difficult 2024. Saint-Denis’ devastating loss to Renato Moicano came just six months after he was viciously put out cold by Dustin Poirier.

Since that disappointing two-fight skid, however, the 29-year-old has bounced back in style. He finds himself back in the lightweight title picture after following up submission wins over Kyle Prepolec and Mauricio Ruffy with his UFC 322 KO.

More than just advancing his championship ambitions in the UFC, Saturday’s result also saw Saint-Denis match arguably the promotion’s two biggest stars.

The victory over Dariush marked Saint-Denis’ eighth finish in the Octagon since 2021, leaving him level for the most with Makhachev and UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

Benoit Saint-Denis was one win away from challenging Islam Makhachev

After his victory at MSG, Saint-Denis signaled his intentions by making a title motion around his waist while sitting on the Octagon.

The result may have earned the Frenchman a title eliminator, and it won’t be his first time competing with a potential championship opportunity on the line.

Poirier’s title shot against Makhachev in the summer of 2024 came as a result of his emphatic KO against Saint-Denis a few months earlier.

Had ‘God of War’ performed better at UFC 299 and added ‘The Diamond’ to his record’s win column, he likely would have challenged the man who closed out Saturday’s PPV with title glory in a second weight class.

Who should Islam Makhachev fight next?

Having missed out on the chance to share the cage with Makhachev before he headed up to welterweight, Saint-Denis will now have his sights set on the Dagestani’s lightweight successor, Ilia Topuria.