Benoît Saint-Denis: A French MMA Fighter with a Military Background
Benoît Saint-Denis: A French MMA Fighter with a Military Background
By Ali Hammad January 14, 2024 19:44
Benoît Saint-Denis is a French professional mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Saint-Denis has an intriguing background, having served with the 1st Marine Infantry Paratroopers Regiment, a unit of the French Army Special Forces Command, prior to entering the mixed martial arts world.
Military Service
Benoît Saint-Denis served with the 1st Marine Infantry Paratroopers Regiment, which is a unit of the French Army Special Forces Command. He was involved in fighting terrorist groups, particularly in Mali and West Africa, during his time in the military. He was part of missions reclaiming an airport in Timbuktu and combating organizations like Boko Haram.
Awards and Recognition
In September 2017, Saint-Denis received the Combatant's Cross and the Medal of the Nation's Gratitude for his service in the military, particularly for his involvement in combat operations in Mali and West Africa.
Transition to MMA
Despite his successful military career, Saint-Denis found a new passion in mixed martial arts. In 2017, he started Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) near his regiment's location in the Bayonne region, which eventually led him to pursue a career in MMA.
MMA Career
Saint-Denis made his UFC debut against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on October 30, 2021, at UFC 267, where he unfortunately lost the fight via unanimous decision. However, he bounced back and secured a victory in his next fight against Niklas Stolze at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik on June 4, 2022, by submitting Stolze in the second round. His next scheduled fight was against Christos Giagos, but due to Giagos' injury, he faced Gabriel Miranda, winning the fight via technical knockout in the second round and earning the Performance of the Night award.
Benoît Saint-Denis is not only a talented MMA fighter but also a decorated military veteran with a remarkable background in serving with the French Army Special Forces Command. His journey from the military to the world of mixed martial arts is a testament to his dedication, passion, and versatility.
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