Benoît Saint-Denis, the French mixed martial artist, is on the brink of a significant change in his career as he hints at a possible move up in weight class within the UFC. After a challenging year marked by two consecutive losses, Saint-Denis is contemplating a shift from the lightweight division to the welterweight category, which would see him competing at a weight limit of 77 kg.
Currently ranked thirteenth among lightweights, Saint-Denis has been a promising talent in the UFC since making his debut back in 2021. However, his recent performances have raised concerns. He suffered a knockout defeat at the hands of Dustin Poirier during the main event of UFC 299 on March 9, 2024, which marked the first time in his career he had been stopped in such a manner. Following that, a fight against Renato Moicano at UFC Paris ended prematurely when the doctor stopped the bout before the third round due to the damage he had sustained.
In light of these setbacks, Saint-Denis has decided to change his training environment by teaming up with coach Nicolas Ott, who also trains fellow fighter Nassourdine Imavov. This partnership is aimed at revitalizing his career and regaining his footing in the octagon. Saint-Denis has expressed a desire to return to winning ways in 2025, and a potential move to the welterweight division could be part of that strategy.
On Sunday, March 30, 2025, Saint-Denis took to Instagram to tease his followers about an upcoming announcement, stating that he would reveal something significant within 48 hours. This cryptic message has stirred excitement among fans, with many speculating that he could be preparing to announce his transition to the welterweight category.
Fans have eagerly engaged with his posts, with one user suggesting, "Tu passes en -77kg"—a comment that Saint-Denis highlighted with an intrigued emoji, further fueling the speculation about his potential move up in weight class.
Interestingly, Saint-Denis has experience competing in the welterweight division. He fought in this category during his UFC debut against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC 267 on October 30, 2021, where he lost by unanimous decision. This background adds another layer to the discussion of his potential move, as he has previously faced the challenges that come with competing at a higher weight.
As he prepares to make this announcement, the MMA community is abuzz with questions. Will Saint-Denis successfully transition to welterweight, or will he choose to remain in the lightweight division? The differences in fighting styles and physicality between the two categories are significant, and fans are keen to see how he would adapt.
Saint-Denis's journey has not been without its challenges, but he has shown resilience and determination. With a new coach and a potential new weight class, the French fighter is looking to turn the tide in his favor. The next 48 hours will be crucial as he prepares to share his news with the world.
As the anticipation builds, the MMA world waits with bated breath for Benoît Saint-Denis's announcement. Will he make the leap to welterweight and embrace the challenges that come with it? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: fans are eager to see what the future holds for this talented fighter.
