While this year’s Abu Dhabi pay-per-view card, UFC 321, failed to deliver on the hype it promised, UFC 322 is shaping up to be the comeback card for the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion. The main event will feature Islam Makhachev and welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena. The co-main will see former strawweight champion Zhang Weili tske on flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko. The card is stacked from top to bottom, but we’re here to break down one fight in particular, something that will appeal to the hardcore fans of the sport: Beneil Dariush vs. Benoit Saint-Denis.

Two southpaws with vastly different fighting styles prepare to collide inside Madison Square Garden on November 15. Beneil Dariush, the battle-hardened veteran and No. 7 lightweight, will fight Benoit Saint-Denis, the fierce No. 15 French contender. ‘Benny’ enters UFC 322 riding a unanimous decision win over Renato Moicano at UFC 317, ending a two-fight losing streak against Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. Meanwhile, Saint-Denis returns with renewed momentum after defeating Mauricio Ruffy and Kyle Prepolec in 2025, following losses to Moicano and Dustin Poirier. Both will look to further their wins, and the fight should be epic on paper, but how do they compare? Let’s have a closer look.

Beneil Dariush and Benoit Saint-Denis stats comparison

Beneil Dariush has been a regular in the lightweight elite for nearly a decade and brings both experience and precision to the cage. Standing 5′10″ with a 72-inch reach, the 36-year-old fights out of Kings MMA and is known for his disciplined, well-rounded approach, combining swift counter-striking and exceptional wrestling.

‘Benny’ has a 23-6-1 record with five knockouts and eight submissions, averaging around 3.78 significant strikes landed per minute at 48% accuracy. He also absorbs just 2.65 per minute and defends 57% of incoming shots, proving his balance between offense and defense. What makes Dariush especially dangerous is his composure under pressure.

The Iranian-American has a takedown defense rate of 80%, averaging 1.9 takedowns every 15 minutes with 34% accuracy. ‘Benny’ brings an unpredictable grappling style, highlighted by excellent scrambling ability, as well as leg locking ability. His fight against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280 was a testament to his grappling awareness. While he may not have the one-punch power of other top-10 lightweights, his excellent fight IQ and control-oriented tactics make him one of the division’s hardest puzzles to crack.

Benoit Saint-Denis brings a completely different kind of energy into the cage. The 29-year-old former member of the French Special Forces stands 5’11” with a 73-inch reach and thrives on constant forward pressure. With a 15-3 record that includes four knockouts and 11 submissions, he’s a proven finisher who rarely leaves things to the judges. Statistically, he lands a punishing 5.39 significant strikes per minute with 55% accuracy, ranking among the best in the division!

However, that reckless abandon approach also serves as a detriment, where he absorbs 4.61 per minute and defends only 41% of strikes. While he compensates for it with a solid ground game, averaging 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes with 39% accuracy, his defensive shortcomings remain hard to ignore. His desire to trade often leaves openings that precision strikers such as Dustin Poirier, or even a veteran like Renato Moicano, have exploited in the past.

Despite this, his toughness and relentless speed make him one of the division’s most dangerous finishers, a fighter who would rather take one to give three. Simply put, Dariush is the immoveable object, while the French ‘God of War’ is the unstoppable force. Their numbers reveal two fighters built for entirely different rhythms: one analytical and composed, the other; blitzing through his opponents.

Beneil Dariush vs. Benoit Saint-Denis stylistic comparison

Stylistically, this contest pits calmness against chaos. A black belt in Muay Thai under Rafael Cordeiro, Beneil Dariush is a clever technician who excels in structured exchanges, using his southpaw stance and precise timing to control distance and pick apart aggressive opponents. He is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rômulo Barral and Bruno ‘Mamute’ Paulista and excels at scrambles and transitions, switching from defense to offense with ease.

What truly makes him stand apart is the fact that he maintains his composure even under intense pressure, leading opponents into overextending and then flipping momentum in an instant. That is an opposite approach when compared to a fighter like Benoit Saint-Denis, who fights like a man on fire. The ‘Frenchman’s finishing instincts are world-class, but his lack of head movement and defensive awareness frequently expose him to clean counters.

If ‘God of War’ is able to drive Dariush into a brawl, his relentless speed may overwhelm the veteran’s more patient approach. However, if ‘Benny’ can maintain range and manage space with counters and well-timed takedowns, he has the potential to systematically dismantle the Frenchman’s offense. The fight’s flow will be determined by who sets the pace: Beneil Dariush, slowing things down, or Benoit Saint-Denis speeding them up.

Final prediction for UFC 322

Both men have southpaw stances and high-level grappling backgrounds, but experience could be the deciding factor. Beneil Dariush has faced some of the sport’s top fighters, including Charles Oliveira and Tony Ferguson, and understands how to adjust in the heat of battle. Benoit Saint-Denis, while certainly explosive, has yet to show that he can regularly break down a technically disciplined opponent without sustaining significant damage, or getting caught.

Expect intense exchanges in the opening rounds as Saint-Denis pushes forward aggressively, forcing Dariush to react. However, as the fight progresses, Dariush’s calmness, superior defensive numbers, and grappling transitions should start to neutralize the chaos. The key will be his ability to withstand the early onslaught and exploit Saint-Denis’ defensive weaknesses.

Our prediction: Beneil Dariush will win via submission in the third round. Experience, timing, and tactical awareness should enable the veteran to weather the storm and impose his game late. But make no mistake: with Saint-Denis’ power and aggression, a single mistake could turn this technical chess match into a fight that ends in an instant.