Benoit Saint Denis previews ADXC 4 headliner: Marc Diakiese ‘tough opposition, but I’m more than ready’

farah hannoun

Fri, May 10, 2024, 10:00 PM·16 min read

Benoit Saint Denis is excited to compete under the ADXC ruleset.

Saint Denis faces Marc Diakiese in a no-gi welterweight grappling match, which headlines ADXC 4 May 18 at Dojo De Paris in France. Saint Denis was initially linked to a matchup vs. No. 1 UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, but it never materialized.

Diakiese has heavily resorted to his grappling in his recent octagon bouts, and Saint Denis recognizes that.

“I believe he fell in love with the process with another discipline of mixed martial arts, which is the grappling and the wrestling part,” Saint Denis told MMA Junkie on Diakiese. “He’s a good wrestler, he’s an athlete, he’s in the UFC a long time. It will be tough opposition, but I’m more than ready. Let’s see who’s going to win and who’s going to put pressure 18th of May.”

In his most recent octagon outing, Saint Denis was knocked out by Dustin Poirier at UFC 299 in March. He sees ADXC 4 as a good opportunity to continue working on his craft until he gets another fight booked.

“The proposition ADXC is giving us is very exciting,” Saint Denis said. “You will have a lot of cage control, you will have a lot more aggressive grappling style approach with judging not only being on points and on tactics, but on engagement of the fighters. It’s an exciting way to put things on the table and to have a great show, and to have time to prepare for one specific part of the mixed martial arts career.”

UFC 299 - Benoit Saint Denis media day interview

image

gallery

Dustin Poirier - ufc 299 media day interview

image

gallery

UFC 299 - Benoit Saint Denis Pre-Fight press conference

image

gallery

UFC 299 - Dustin Poirier Pre-Fight press conference

image

gallery

ufc-299-press-conference-faceoff-dustin-poirier-benoit-saint-denis

Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint Denis

image

gallery

benoit-saint-denis-ufc-299-official-weigh-ins

image

gallery

dustin-poirier-ufc-299-ceremonial-official-weigh-ins

image

gallery

ufc-299-ceremonial-weigh-ins-benoit-saint-denis

image

gallery

ufc-299-ceremonial-weigh-ins-dustin-poirier

image

gallery

Dustin Poirier Benoit Saint Denis UFC 299 faceoff

image

gallery

ufc-299-ceremonial-weigh-ins-dustin-poirier-benoit-saint-denis

image

gallery

UFC 299 Ceremonial Weigh-in

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 08: (L-R) Opponents Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint Denis of France face…

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 08: (L-R) Opponents Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint Denis of France face off during the UFC 299 ceremonial weigh-in at Kaseya Center on March 08, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Benoit Saint Denis

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Bruce Buffer

image

gallery

Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 1

image

gallery

Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 3

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

UFC 299: O'Malley v Vera 2

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Dustin Poirier fights Benoit Saint Denis of France during their lightweight…

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Dustin Poirier fights Benoit Saint Denis of France during their lightweight bout at UFC 299 at Kaseya Center on March 09, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

image

gallery

UFC 299: O'Malley v Vera 2

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Dustin Poirier fights Benoit Saint Denis of France during their lightweight…

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 4

Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

UFC 299: O'Malley v Vera 2

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Dustin Poirier fights Benoit Saint Denis of France during their lightweight…

image

gallery

UFC 299: O'Malley v Vera 2

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Benoit Saint Denis of France fights Dustin Poirier during their lightweight…

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Benoit Saint Denis of France fights Dustin Poirier during their lightweight bout at UFC 299 at Kaseya Center on March 09, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

UFC 299: O'Malley v Vera 2

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Benoit Saint Denis of France fights Dustin Poirier during their lightweight…

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dustin Poirier reacts after knocking out Benoit Saint Denis during…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dustin Poirier reacts after knocking out Benoit Saint Denis during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dustin Poirier reacts after knocking out Benoit Saint Denis during…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dustin Poirier reacts after knocking out Benoit Saint Denis during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis is checked by medical staff members after…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis is checked by medical staff members after his loss to Dustin Poirier during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis is checked by medical staff members after…

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dustin Poirier reacts after knocking out Benoit Saint Denis during…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dustin Poirier reacts after knocking out Benoit Saint Denis during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

image

gallery

MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis is checked by medical staff members after…

image

gallery

Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 2

Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299

image

gallery

Dustin Poirier - ufc 299 post-fight interview

image

gallery

Dustin Poirier - ufc 299 post-fight interview 1

image

gallery

Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 Scorecard

image

gallery

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie

Yahoo Sports
NBA Playoffs: Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving lead Mavericks to win in Game 1 thriller
The Mavericks won a game with 14 lead changes.
Yahoo Sports
Padres place 4-time All-Star Xander Bogaerts on injured list with fractured shoulder
Bogaerts' injury is worse than initially feared.
Yahoo Sports
MVP Nikola Jokić headlines All-NBA teams alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić
The All-NBA selection was the sixth for Jokić, who was awarded his third MVP trophy in four seasons on May 8.
Yahoo Sports
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner says team's payroll, 3rd in MLB, 'not sustainable for us financially'
Maybe not what Yankees fans want to hear ahead of Juan Soto's free agency.
Yahoo Sports
Michael Schumacher's family reportedly awarded $216K over AI 'interview' of F1 legend that was touted as real
Schumacher finished his career as the all-time leader in F1 driver's championships with seven. He hasn't been seen in public since sustaining brain damage in a 2013 skiing accident.
Yahoo Sports
Oneil Cruz hitting angry, Shohei Ohtani leading the league, the Royals are turning heads with Jake Eisenberg
Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about Oneil Cruz's smashing night at the dish, Kyle Tucker and Shohei Ohtani leading the league and are joined by Royals broadcaster Jake Eisenberg to talk about Kansas City’s success in 2024.
Yahoo Sports
Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer: Time to sell high on Elly De La Cruz for a king's ransom?
Fred Zinkie examines the fantasy baseball trade landscape, revealing some buy-low and sell-high candidates.
Yahoo Sports
Mother sues LaMelo Ball after he allegedly drove over 11-year-old son's foot and broke it at a fan event
LaMelo Ball allegedly drove away and ran over an 11-year-old's foot when he was trying to get Ball's autograph at a Hornets fan event last fall.
Yahoo Sports
Texans WR Tank Dell takes part in OTAs 3 weeks after being shot
Dell was one of 10 victims shot outside an Orlando bar on April 28.
Yahoo Sports
Emma Hayes' first USWNT roster reveals a team that already evolved in her absence
When Hayes arrives this week, although she'll have plenty of familiarizing to do, her core — the players, the most important part of any national team — will largely already be in place.
Yahoo Sports
Coco Gauff urges young Americans to get out and vote: 'Use the power that we have'
Coco Gauff feels that young people 'think their vote doesn't count.' She wants that to change.
Yahoo Sports
Veteran WR DeVante Parker retiring after nine seasons in the NFL, just months after signing with Eagles
DeVante Parker struck a deal to join the Eagles earlier this offseason.
Yahoo Sports
Coach Thibs to blame for Knicks falling apart? + First look at conference finals | Good Word with Goodwill
Vincent Goodwill connects with Boston Globe's national NBA writer Gary Washburn to recap the wild weekend of playoff basketball and look ahead to the conference finals.
Yahoo Sports
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson reportedly skips start of voluntary OTAs amid contract talks
The Vikings have stated that they believe Jefferson is the best receiver in football. Will they reach a deal that compensates him as such?
Yahoo Sports
LeBron James reportedly not involved in the Lakers head coach search
LeBron James is reportedly not involved in the Los Angeles Lakers' search for a new head coach. James does a podcast with JJ Redick, one of the reported candidates for the position.
Yahoo Sports
Longtime Oakland Raiders center, Hall of Famer Jim Otto dies at 86
Jim Otto appeared in 210 straight games for the Raiders and was one of just three players who appeared in every single regular season AFL game throughout his career.
Yahoo Sports
NBA playoffs: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Game 7 updates, score, highlights, analysis
Do the Nuggets or Timberwolves have what it takes to survive Game 7?
Yahoo Sports
PGA Championship Round 4 live updates, leaderboard: Xander Schauffele beats out Bryson DeChambeau to win at Valhalla
Thanks to a clutch birdie at the 18th, Xander Schauffele has won his first career major championship.
Yahoo Sports
PGA Championship Round 4 tee times: Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele tied atop packed leaderboard at Valhalla
Tee times for the final round of the PGA Championship in Louisville are here.
Yahoo Sports
Top candidates emerge for Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations role
Trajan Langdon, Scott Perry, Dennis Lindsey and John Hammond have impressed in interviews and are front-runners to meet with Pistons owner Tom Gores.

New on Yahoo

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Share this

Recommended Stories