Benoit Saint Denis’ Journey From Special Forces to The Octagon | UFC Connected

Born into a military family, Benoit Saint-Denis joined the French special forces keen to fight for his country; after an exceptional military career he continues to represent France but on a different battlefield; the Octagon.

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Benois sandini discovered mix martial arts while enlisted in the French special forces his military experience perfectly primed the Frenchman for combat as he transitioned from fighting on the front lines to fighting in 4 o gloves as an Unstoppable finishing four sandin blasted through the regional scene before setting his sights on the

UFC’s lightweight Division and he’s on his way to one day bringing UFC gold to France the God of War tells us more about his journey in fighter Focus Seek and Destroy Beno santon 5 years in French Special Forces and he started training in MMA in 2017 to be a better

SAS operator now he’s on top of the world better fight I think this guy has all the potential in the world he’s got a special quality and a real killer [Applause] instinct I had a very happy Sher when I was young I have four little brothers we had everything we needed we were a group of brothers looking out for each other I took my role as a firstborn child very seriously I wanted to be a KN you know because the Knight

Is the one who is protecting the weak against the strong my father was in the French Foreign agan I worked on Mission outside of the country so we moved a lot I looked at his carer and I knew it was partly the way I wanted to take I become a French Special Air

Service member French Special Forces mostly what I did was counterterrorism on the suban band against Boko Haram and a couple of different branch of Islamic State I did protection of high value personalities like the president ministers Generals in a lot of different countries in Africa also I did a lot of sensitive

Site exploitation which is having fast collect of the information you have on the ground to try to directly use it to have dire action in the night I worked my ass off so I could be successful in it after 5 years in pickups I was looking for my own

Adventure in the Army you are always under orders and I wanted to be my own Boss I already trained a BGG since 2017 2018 I did a lot of kickboxing I was feeling that if I didn’t try MMA career I was going to regret it one minute I say switch you switch okay I think everything that you do in the military

Makes you better at fighting you get up early you learn about your diet you learn about being able to sleep when it’s important um the military pounds that into you some people just like to fight you know some people will just show up to do violence but then there’s somebody

That’s going to show up 12 13 times a week kickboxing in the morning wrestling in the afternoon strength and conditioning there’s so much to do in MMA and he’s approaching it like a professional so that is a very strong characteristic and attribute that the military teaches you that you then carry into

Fighting there’s similarities you have a training camp for a fight you have a preparation for a mission as a special force operator you will have a good plan to get yourself ready for a mission or day for a fight I’m always looking for excellence my goals was to become the best the best

Warrior and the best version of [Applause] myself before UFC I was 8 and0 I took my first UFC fight on short notice in a white class above to be sure I could sign the organization Al nobody wanted to fight the guys so let’s Go Ben was is undefeated in our fighter meeting he mentioned he wants to be active which could result in short notice fights at Welter wave he thinks his belt pursuit in the UFC will eventually be down at 155 lbs and tonight he’s fighting one of the more credential welterweights that is not in

The top 15 right now in do Santos this guy has no fear but he has a tall task in front of him for a UFC debut go Santos eats a big shot there returns fire with a one two it was a good fight a tough fight

Beautiful SW oh another knee but s e fighting back wow he is tough oh oh my God special forces in France sk’s as tough as they come I lost by [Applause] decision it’s my only loss I have so much respect for S do you think he’s going to give up he’s not ever

Here’s Ben wasant making the walk for his second UFC appearance but this will be the first time he fights in the UFC with what amount St full training Kamp I can stop a position you have to be at a weight that is similar so we took the decision to continue at lightweight he

Believes he’s going to realize a lot of success at lightweight and that is where he competes tonight the first fight after loss it’s never easy to bnce back but I was ready I was in shape he’s getting tight now that’s behind his head there’s the tap Ben was

S you know he had that debut things did not go his way he showed his heart and his toughness but we all knew and he knew more than anybody what he is capable of with a full training camp Ben was anony wins it by submission a fight after was in Paris

What was your feeling about this bons anden a France you have yourself a fight night after changes in regulations and to support a ground swelling talents the UFC embarks on its long awaited maiden voyage to Paris I had to be there it was the first UFC in

France your name to be written in the French MMA history book I had to do it what a moment for benoir S former Special Forces makes history by becoming the first Frenchman to walk on French soil for the UFC proudly representing France in here tonight it’s incredible

To hear the pop from this crowd especially representing the country the way that he has this place is deafening oh SAS swinging it crumes him 10 seconds left Pig another another left another he’s hurt he’s wobbling he’s down this is it he breaks the storm in the second round he gets the finish

It was such a fun moment to be in it is a war cry from the God of War benoir s gets it done benoir the God of War s ladies and Gentlemen this man has something you’re either born with or you don’t he is a fighter I’m starting to feel very confident on losing octagon you know he served in the Special Forces things that this guy might have seen are just incredible but this man fights tooth and

Nail every second he is in there I’m getting better and better and I feel like I’m starting to be a prime fighter it’s game over the God of War does it again in Paris people are starting to take me very seriously I think we’re looking at a future star in the

Lightweight division this guy is representing France former Special Forces tough as they come skilled he’s a fantastic fighter how do you not love watching him fight I want to prove that I’m a top Contender head kick who follow is in real trouble that’s it wow Ben w l I’m hungry let’s Go