MMA: Frenchman Benoît Saint Denis knocked out by American Dustin Poirier during UFC 299

Frenchman Benoît Saint Denis, rising MMA star, was knocked out by experienced American Dustin Poirier at UFC 299 on Saturday in Miami, Florida.

Saint Denis (12th in the ranking), who remained on five consecutive victories, was knocked out in the second round by Poirier (35 years old), N.3 in the lightweight category.

In front of an audience that was hostile to him, the 28-year-old Frenchman missed the opportunity to continue his rise in the prestigious UFC league.

“He hurt me, he’s strong,” said Poirier after the fight. “I took this fight because he had finished his previous five before the limit, even if he was not very well known. He’s a dangerous guy. I have a lot of respect for Saint Denis, his state of mind. He will come back,” he added.