The co-main event for UFC 299 features a lightweight showdown between Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint-Denis.
As stated in my in-depth breakdown, I believe that this fight being scheduled for five rounds distinctly favors Poirier given that Saint-Denis technically hasn’t found success past the second frame.
Although Saint-Denis has the stamina and will to dig deep in fights, he offers way too many striking openings on the feet that fit right into Poirier’s style.
Despite Saint-Denis lacking UFC-level lefties on his record, anyone who has thrown check hooks from southpaw has typically caught the Frenchman coming in.
Considering that Poirier, who currently stands at 5-2 opposite UFC-level lefties, has one of the best check hooks in the game, Saint-Denis could be in serious trouble if this fight stays standing this Saturday.
But if Saint-Denis is unable to repeatedly takedown Poirier against the fence, then I suspect that “The Diamond” has enough left to survive the early storm and produce a stoppage by Round 3.
This story originally appeared on MMA Junkie