The co-main event of UFC 325 in Sydney delivered far more than a standard bout. Benoît Saint Denis and Dan Hooker engaged in a brutal, high-intensity battle, one that ended in a second-round TKO victory for the Frenchman — a result with major implications for the lightweight division.
Entering his first fight of 2026, Saint Denis knew the stakes were high. Facing a seasoned veteran like Hooker was not just about winning, but about proving he belongs among the division’s elite and edging closer to the Top 5.
Round 1: controlled chaos
From the opening bell, the pace is relentless. Saint Denis pushes for the takedown, Hooker defends and threatens with a guillotine, underlining how dangerous every scramble can be. On the feet, the Frenchman absorbs shots but refuses to retreat.
A well-timed judo throw shifts momentum. On the ground, the “God of War” asserts dominance, hunts for a kimura, and closes the round with punishing ground-and-pound that begins to wear Hooker down.
Round 2: relentless pressure
Hooker attempts to change the narrative with a takedown of his own, but Saint Denis counters and quickly secures mount. Heavy elbows rain down. An arm-triangle choke attempt follows, defended with grit, yet the pressure never relents.
بينوا سان دوني ينتصر في حرب حقيقية أمام دان هوكر… فوز بالنار يفتح أبواب القمة في UFC 325 pic.twitter.com/C1Yazjg4ty
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) February 2, 2026
As the unanswered strikes accumulate, the referee steps in. TKO. A decisive ending to a fight that had gradually tilted in Saint Denis’ favor.
More than a win
This fourth straight victory pushes Benoît Saint Denis firmly into Top 5 contention. More importantly, it reinforces a defining trait: every win comes by finish. No doubts, no judges — only domination.
Post-fight, Saint Denis made his intentions clear, calling out Arman Tsarukyan and expressing interest in a BMF title fight. At UFC 325, he didn’t just survive a war — he emerged as a genuine contender.
