MMA Match Preview: Beneil Dariush (23-6-1) vs. Benoit Saint Denis (15-3)

Venue & Timing

Event: UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev

Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Expected Bell Time: ~7:15 PM ET

Broadcast: ESPN+ (USA), TNT Sports (UK)

Injury Report

Beneil Dariush: No reported injuries; cleared after his rebound win over Renato Moicano.

Benoît Saint Denis: No reported injuries; healthy following back-to-back submission victories in 2025.

Fighter Matchups

Beneil Dariush:

Style: Southpaw Muay Thai + elite jiu-jitsu.

Strengths: Counter-wrestling, back-takes, submission arsenal (8 career subs).

Weaknesses: Durability concerns after KO losses to Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan.

Benoît Saint Denis:

Style: Aggressive pressure fighter, submission specialist.

Strengths: Relentless pace, finishing instincts (12 finishes in 15 wins).

Weaknesses: Vulnerable when forced on his back; cardio fades in prolonged grappling exchanges.

Recent Form

Dariush:

Win vs. Renato Moicano (UD, 2025).

Losses to Oliveira (KO, 2023) and Tsarukyan (KO, 2024).

2–3 in last five, showing signs of decline but still technically sharp.

Saint Denis:

Loss vs. Dustin Poirier (KO, 2024).

Loss vs. Renato Moicano (UD, 2024).

Rebounded with submissions over Kyle Prepolec and Mauricio Ruffy (2025).

3–2 in last five, rebuilding momentum.

Fight History Context

First meeting between Dariush and Saint Denis.

Dariush represents the veteran “gatekeeper” role, while Saint Denis is the surging French contender aiming to prove he belongs among the elite.

Betting Trends

Dariush: 8 career submission wins; bettors target his grappling props.

Saint Denis: 12 of 15 wins by finish; public money favors KO/TKO outcome.

Totals: Majority of bets on Under 2.5 rounds, expecting a finish given both fighters’ styles.

Key Factors: Dariush’s experience and grappling edge keep him dangerous, but Saint Denis’ pace and power likely overwhelm the veteran.

Summary: UFC 322’s lightweight bout at Madison Square Garden is a generational clash. Dariush’s veteran savvy and jiu-jitsu mastery meet Saint Denis’ youthful aggression and finishing instincts. Expect fireworks early, with Saint Denis favored to secure a stoppage, though Dariush remains a live underdog if he drags the fight into grappling exchanges.

Prediction: Saint Denis by TKO (Round 2).

FIGHT ODDS

Beneil Dariush                  + 170

Benoit Saint Denis           – 200

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, November 14, 2025