Benoit Saint Denis says antibiotics hurt UFC 299 performance: ‘I only had one round to give’

mike

Sun, Mar 10, 2024, 12:30 PM·17 min read

Benoit Saint Denis claims he was not at 100 percent when he stepped in the octagon against Dustin Poirier in the UFC 299 co-main event.

After putting together a five-fight stoppage streak in the lightweight division, Saint Denis (13-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) got a massive step up in a matchup with former interim champ Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) on Saturday at Kaseya Center in Miami.

Saint Denis came out on fire, putting pressure on Poirier with his striking and grappling to win the first round. He tried to maintain that in the second frame, but Poirier got his dangerous boxing off and scored a brutal knockout to conclude the Fight of the Night on the card.

It was somewhat puzzling in the moment that Saint Denis put on such a relentless pace in a fight scheduled for five rounds. However, he said that’s the only strategy he could attempt to execute, because antibiotics in the lead-up to the fight sapped his energy.

“Unfortunately this evening I was not able to fully express myself,” Saint Denis wrote on Instagram. “My body didn’t keep up after a week of antibiotics to fight an infection. Throughout I was present but my body absent, it did not react as usual. I only had one round to give you.

Sorry to have disappointed you, I will come back stronger, thanks to Dustin for accepting this fight. It was impossible for me not to seize the opportunity of such a fight.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Benoît"God of War"Saint Denis (@benoitst_denis)

Saint Denis, 28, did not disclose the exact reason why he was on antibiotics and what was wrong with him.

Ultimately, he could not get the job done, and succumbed to the first stoppage loss of his career against the future UFC Hall of Fame inductee Poirier.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 299.

UFC 299 - Benoit Saint Denis media day interview

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Dustin Poirier - ufc 299 media day interview

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UFC 299 - Benoit Saint Denis Pre-Fight press conference

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UFC 299 - Dustin Poirier Pre-Fight press conference

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Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint Denis

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Dustin Poirier Benoit Saint Denis UFC 299 faceoff

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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)

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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis before his fight with Dustin Poirier during…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis before his fight with Dustin Poirier during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer introduces Benoit Saint Denis and…

Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer introduces Benoit Saint Denis and Dustin Poirier before their fight during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

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Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 1

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Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 3

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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UFC 299: O'Malley v Vera 2

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

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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

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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

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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

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Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 4

Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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UFC 299: O'Malley v Vera 2

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

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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)

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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

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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

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UFC 299: O'Malley v Vera 2

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

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

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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

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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier

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

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Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 2

Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299

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Dustin Poirier - ufc 299 post-fight interview

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Dustin Poirier - ufc 299 post-fight interview 1

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Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 Scorecard

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Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie

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