TLDR
- Benoit Saint-Denis defeated Dan Hooker by TKO at 4:45 of Round 2 at UFC 325 in Sydney
- Saint-Denis dominated from a mounted position with a devastating elbow barrage that opened a cut on Hooker’s face
- The victory marked Saint-Denis’ fourth consecutive win and biggest UFC victory to date
- Hooker made a critical error pursuing a takedown that left him vulnerable to Saint-Denis’ ground attack
- Saint-Denis called out top contenders including Arman Tsarukyan, Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira
Sources: Ground News | CBS Sports | Bloody Elbow
Benoit Saint-Denis stopped Dan Hooker by TKO at 4:45 of Round 2 in the UFC 325 co-main event Saturday in Sydney, Australia. The victory marked Saint-Denis’ fourth consecutive win and the biggest of his UFC career.
Saint-Denis entered the bout on a three-fight winning streak, including a 16-second knockout of Beneil Dariush last November at UFC 322. Hooker came into the fight looking to rebound from a one-sided submission loss to Arman Tsarukyan in November.
Hooker’s Body Kicks and Saint-Denis’ Pressure
The first round saw Hooker land effective body kicks that visibly hurt the French fighter. Saint-Denis attempted multiple takedowns but initially struggled to get the fight to the ground.
Hooker defended several early takedown attempts by hunting for guillotine chokes and avoiding bottom position. Saint-Denis eventually secured a judo throw late in the opening round, slamming Hooker to the mat.
A cut opened on Hooker’s face before the round ended. The damage would prove costly in the second round.
Mounted Elbows End the Fight
The second round began with more grappling exchanges. Hooker made a critical error by pursuing his own takedown attempt, which left him vulnerable.
Saint-Denis landed in a mounted triangle position and trapped Hooker’s arm. He rained down elbows from the dominant position.
Hooker freed his arm but immediately faced a tight arm triangle choke. The New Zealand fighter survived the submission through what Saint-Denis later described as “grit and a narrow airway.”
Saint-Denis abandoned the choke and postured up in full mount. He unleashed a barrage of elbows that opened Hooker’s face further.
Referee Herb Dean allowed the fight to continue as Saint-Denis continued dropping ground strikes. Hooker could only cover up as the elbows kept coming.
Dean finally stopped the contest at 4:45 of Round 2. Hooker’s record dropped to 24-14, while Saint-Denis improved to 17-3.
In his post-fight interview, Saint-Denis called out multiple top lightweight contenders. He named Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira as potential opponents.
“I had to resort to old Saint Denis,” he said in the cage. “Seek and destroy.”
Saint-Denis also challenged Arman Tsarukyan, the current top contender in the division. “Arman Tsarukyan, you say you’re the No. 1 contender? I’m here to take your spot,” he declared.
The French fighter demanded either a lightweight title shot or a BMF title opportunity. His relentless pressure style has now produced finishes in his last four victories.
Saint-Denis has not seen a third round since his UFC debut in 2021. His consistent offensive output makes him a dangerous matchup for anyone in the 155-pound division.
The event aired on Paramount+ for viewers in the United States and RMC Sport in France. Saint-Denis now positions himself as a serious challenger in the lightweight rankings following his victory over the sixth-ranked Hooker.
