The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to bring excitement back to France as UFC Fight Night 243 takes place in the captivating city of Paris. This event, poised to take over the Accor Arena on Saturday, promises an exhilarating slate of fights, especially with two prominent non-title bouts topping the card. With a dominant lightweight clash headlining and a thrilling middleweight co-headliner, fans are in for an action-packed night.
Headlining Bouts: Lightweights and Middleweights Clash
The main event showcases Brazilian fighter Renato Moicano going toe-to-toe with France’s Benoit Saint Denis, marking a notable moment for local fans. Moicano comes into this fight carrying a record of 19 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw, with an impressive tenure in the UFC, boasting 11 wins in 16 appearances. Since transitioning to the lightweight division in March 2020, Moicano has shown remarkable prowess, going 6-1 during this period. This transformation has highlighted his adept grappling skills, as he notably holds six submission victories via rear-naked choke—placing him third all-time in UFC history alongside legends Demian Maia and Kenny Florian.
On the opposing side, Saint Denis presents a unique challenge. Specializing in striking, he has managed to claim all 13 of his victories by stoppage, demonstrating an aggressive approach that fans love to see. With a striking accuracy of 58.4 percent within the lightweight division, he ranks third overall, just behind some of the most elite fighters like Islam Makhachev and Justin Gaethje. The contrast between Moicano’s grappling and Saint Denis’s striking sets the stage for a compelling tactical battle.
In the co-headliner, we observe Brendan Allen facing off against fellow ranked middleweight Nassourdine Imavov. Both fighters bring their own unique skill sets, making this match-up particularly interesting. Allen, with a record of 24 wins and 5 losses, is on a six-fight win streak at middleweight, a feat only surpassed by a few in the division. Notably, he has finished 18 of his 24 victories, which reflects his ability to end fights decisively, particularly with his submission prowess. Allen’s six submission victories in the UFC place him second in the division’s history, reinforcing the idea that he is a serious threat on the ground.
Contrasting Allen’s game is Imavov, who boasts a record of 14 wins and 4 losses with an impressive 10 stoppage victories. His defensive skills shine particularly bright; he boasts a 62.3 percent rate of successfully defending against significant strikes, which ties him for the highest rate currently in the middleweight class. This combination of skills will likely create a striking battle where both fighters will look to showcase their strengths while attempting to exploit the weaknesses of their opponent.
Beyond the headlining and co-headlining bouts, the card features several intriguing match-ups. One fighter worth mentioning is Joanderson Brito, who has strung together a five-fight winning streak in the UFC’s featherweight division, showcasing his knockout ability with 15 of his 16 career wins coming by way of stoppage. Additionally, Bryan Battle is attempting to solidify his place in the welterweight division after a notable performance history.
An eye should also be kept on Ailin Perez, who has recorded all her UFC victories by decision, which speaks to her ability to control fights over the distance. Her performance at UFC on ESPN 49 highlighted her grappling proficiency, tallying 10 takedowns in a single fight—setting the record in the bantamweight category for takedowns landed in a match.
As UFC Fight Night 243 approaches, the anticipation builds for an event that promises a mix of strategic grappling and striking flair. With both the main and co-main events highlighting some of the best talents in the lightweight and middleweight divisions, fans can expect explosive performances. As the fighters step into the Octagon, not only will they be battling for victory, but they will also carry the hopes of their fans—especially for those competing in front of a hometown crowd in Paris. The blend of local flavor and globally recognized talent ensures that fans are in for a night to remember.