Mac Mally’s UFC Paris 2024 Preview: A Night Where Fists Speak Louder Than Words
Some find the beauty of Paris in the river Seine. Others get all gooey-eyed over a night of octagon action in the French capital. Our man Mac Mally is the latter. Here’s his UFC Paris 2024 preview.
Ah, Paris! The city of love, lights, and now, left hooks. This Saturday, the Accor Arena transforms into the Colosseum of our times with UFC Paris, where we’re not just serving croissants but a full platter of combat cuisine. Here’s what you can expect from an evening where the only thing left to do is pair some fine wine with the fights!
Main Event: Moicano vs. Saint Denis
Renato Moicano, the Brazilian with a penchant for turning fights into a ground game scramble match, steps into the octagon against Benoit Saint Denis, France’s own “God of War.” Now, if you’re betting on this one, remember, Moicano’s ground game is as smooth as a fine wine. But Saint Denis? He’s not just fighting for victory; he’s fighting for national pride, with the kind of striking that could make the Eiffel Tower lean like the Tower of Pisa.
Moicano’s strategy might be to turn this into a jiu-jitsu clinic, hoping to submit Saint Denis like he’s rolling up a French pastry. However, Saint Denis has shown he’s no stranger to the grappling game, not since he wrapped up Ismael Bonfim like a gift basket. This fight could turn into an epic tale of ‘who can impose their will,’ with Paris watching, heart in mouth.
So, who’s my pick? Here’s how I see it playing out. Saint Denis bulldozes into striking range with the roar of the crowd as the fight starts. We’ve seen Moicano get in trouble on his feet, but his durability and deep bag of veteran tricks keep him dangerous at all times. Now, this might just be a bro science educated guess, but I think we see Saint Denis find success on the feet early and slowly gas out trying to finish the Brazilian. Well, maybe not gas out, but not leave enough in the tank and Renato Moicano snatches a submission later in the fight after the initial jitters and adrenaline dump wears off for Saint Denis.
Co-Main Event: Allen vs. Imavov
Then there’s Brendan Allen, riding a seven-fight win streak like it’s a Parisian scooter through rush hour, facing Nassourdine Imavov. Allen’s been vocal folks, practically sending out RSVP invitations for a title shot with each win. But here’s the twist – Imavov, despite being offered a five-round dance, seems content with three. Does he know something we don’t, or is he just conserving energy for the afterparty?
Allen is no stranger to adversity, yet he marches into Accor Arena as the underdog. His journey has been one of redemption and relentless improvement since his surprising loss to Chris Curtis back in 2021, a blemish he’s since avenged. Allen sees this fight as his ticket to the top. He’s not just fighting for a win; he’s fighting for recognition, for a statement that he belongs in the conversation with the division’s elite. Despite his achievements, Allen’s aware that in the world of UFC, popularity often holds as much weight as performance. Without the social media following of some of his fellow fighters, he’s banking on an emphatic victory to make his case undeniable. Imavov has every external factor in his favour. His decision to opt for a three-round bout when a five-rounder was on the table might suggest a strategy focused on explosive, high-impact performance early on. Known for his striking prowess and increasingly competent ground game, Imavov represents a tough stylistic match for Allen.
With that said, on paper, this one is as close as it gets. Brendan Allen is on a war path and I don’t think his last stop is in Paris. Brendan Allen by decision. This isn’t just another fight; it’s a potential title eliminator. With Dricus Du Plessis holding the belt and looking at a rematch with Sean Strickland, the middleweight division is wide open for new contenders to step up.
Remember, in UFC, as in life, anything can happen and as the French might say, “Que le meilleur gagne!” Let the best win, indeed.