Benoit Saint-Denis has lived through war zones, counter-terrorism missions, and the pressures of protecting world leaders, but the French fighter insists the toughest battles of his life are happening inside the UFC Octagon.
The 29-year-old, nicknamed “The God of War,” once served in the French Special Forces, where he fought Boko Haram in sub-Saharan Africa and took part in high-risk hostage rescues. In 2016, he was part of the presidential guard protecting then-French president François Hollande. After five years of military service, he retired in 2019 and shifted his focus to mixed martial arts.
Saint-Denis quickly built a reputation as a relentless fighter, but the transition to elite-level competition has tested him in ways he never expected. A five-fight win streak came to a crushing halt in March 2024 when he was stopped by former interim champion Dustin Poirier. Six months later, he suffered another setback against Renato Moicano, derailing his momentum and pushing him out of lightweight title contention.
“The year 2024 has been the hardest,” Saint-Denis admitted. “The pressure of popularity, the distractions of big fights, and trying to stay passionate, it’s more difficult than any battlefield I’ve faced.”
Unlike his years in the army, where he thrived under strict orders and strategy, Saint-Denis revealed that much of his UFC journey was spent without a head coach. The lack of structure left him exposed against top-tier opponents. That changed when he began working with Nicolas Ott, a coach he now credits for reviving his career.
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The partnership paid off in May when Saint-Denis returned to winning ways with a dominant performance against Kyle Prepolec. Now, with his confidence rebuilt, he is preparing to face Brazilian lightweight Mauricio Ruffy at UFC Paris this Saturday.
“Having a good head coach who shares your values and instills discipline is everything,” he said. “I love what I do, and it’s making me a better fighter. We’re improving together as a team, and that’s what makes me stronger.”
Born in Nîmes, southern France, Saint-Denis joined the military at 18 and spent much of his career deployed in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where he fought against Boko Haram and other extremist groups. Despite those life-or-death missions, he insists the spotlight of the UFC presents its own unique challenges.
From battling terrorists in West Africa to battling contenders in the cage, Saint-Denis’s story is one of resilience, discipline, and transformation. His next fight in Paris could mark another turning point in a career that has already spanned war zones and world stages.
