UFC lightweight contender Benoit Saint Denis has opened up about feeling compromised heading into his crucial UFC 299 clash with Dustin Poirier.
In a statement shared on Instagram following his second-round knockout defeat, Saint Denis revealed that he had undergone antibiotic treatment to combat an infection before stepping into the octagon. Consequently, he expressed that his body did not react in its usual manner during the bout last Saturday.
“Regrettably, tonight I couldn’t perform to my fullest,” Saint Denis conveyed (translated via Google). “My body didn’t respond as expected after a week of antibiotics to address an infection.”
He continued, “Throughout the fight, I was mentally present, but my body failed to respond as it typically does. I had only one round to offer.”
Saint Denis came close to overwhelming Poirier in the opening round of their pay-per-view showdown at the Kaseya Center in Miami. However, Poirier capitalized on a well-timed counter in the second round, ultimately securing a knockout victory at 2:32 into the round.
In the aftermath, Poirier disclosed that his game plan involved allowing Saint Denis to exert energy early on, believing he couldn’t sustain his relentless pace for the scheduled five rounds. UFC CEO hailed Poirier’s decision to face a lower-ranked opponent, praising his performance as “exactly what defines a legendary fighter.”
Before the fight, MMA enthusiasts online speculated about Saint Denis possibly grappling with a staph infection, citing a visible abscess on his forehead that seemed to be healing.
Through his post-fight statement, Saint Denis seemingly confirmed that he had indeed grappled with a health issue leading up to the bout. Despite the circumstances, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
“Apologies for falling short tonight,” he penned. “I will return stronger. Thanks to Dustin for accepting the fight. It was impossible for me to let go of such an opportunity. Thank you all for the support. And a special thanks to my team and family.”
UFC 299 marked Saint Denis’ second setback following his debut octagon defeat to Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC 267. He bounced back with five consecutive victories, building momentum that peaked with a spectacular knockout of Matt Frevola at UFC 295 last November.
