Overview
- The lightweight matchup takes place Saturday night into Sunday at Madison Square Garden on the UFC 322 card in New York.
- Saint‑Denis enters off a September win at UFC Paris over Mauricio Ruffy after a difficult 2024 and a training reset with coach Nicolas Ott.
- A win could move the Frenchman into the Top 10, possibly to No. 9, though the UFC updates its lists based on ballots from a panel of media members rather than automatic placement.
- Current reports place Saint‑Denis at No. 12 or No. 13, while the 36‑year‑old Dariush arrives ranked No. 9 and noted for his veteran pedigree after recent setbacks.
- The MSG stage is portrayed as a major milestone for French MMA, with a live screening at Paris’s Grand Rex signaling strong fan interest.