Quick Read
- Benoit Saint-Denis defeated Dan Hooker via TKO in Round 2 at UFC 325.
- The co-main event took place in Sydney, Australia, on February 1, 2026.
- Referee Herb Dean stopped the fight at 4:45 of Round 2 due to an elbow barrage.
- Saint-Denis exhibited relentless pressure and grappling, overcoming Hooker’s early body kicks.
- This marks Saint-Denis’s fourth consecutive finish in the lightweight division.
- Post-fight, Saint-Denis called out top contenders including Arman Tsarukyan, Ilia Topuria, and Justin Gaethje.
SYDNEY (Azat TV) – Benoit Saint-Denis delivered a commanding performance at UFC 325, securing a brutal second-round technical knockout (TKO) victory over veteran lightweight Dan Hooker in the co-main event held in Sydney, Australia, on February 1, 2026. The win marks Saint-Denis’s fourth consecutive finish and a clear statement to the rest of the 155-pound division that he is a significant contender.
The Frenchman, known as ‘BSD’, showcased his relentless offensive pressure, ultimately overwhelming Hooker despite facing early resistance. The decisive stoppage came at 4:45 of Round 2, as referee Herb Dean intervened to halt the barrage of elbows Saint-Denis rained down on a defenseless Hooker.
Saint-Denis’s Relentless Pressure Overwhelms Hooker
The highly anticipated co-main event began with Dan Hooker attempting to establish control, utilizing sharp body kicks that visibly impacted Saint-Denis early in the first round. However, Saint-Denis’s aggressive instincts and unwavering pursuit of the takedown soon shifted the momentum. Despite Hooker’s efforts to negate his wrestling by seeking guillotine chokes and avoiding bottom position, the Frenchman’s sustained pressure proved too much.
A critical error occurred when Hooker pursued his own takedown attempt, which Saint-Denis deftly capitalized on, landing himself in a dominant position. From there, Saint-Denis quickly advanced to a mounted triangle, trapping Hooker’s arm and delivering a series of elbows. Although Hooker managed to free his arm, he immediately had to defend a tight arm-triangle choke. Through sheer grit, ‘The Hangman’ survived the submission attempt, but the sustained assault had taken its toll.
Second-Round TKO Secures Fourth Straight Win for ‘BSD’
Entering the second round, Saint-Denis abandoned any remaining caution, posturing up and unleashing a devastating barrage of elbows that caused significant damage to Hooker. Referee Herb Dean observed the escalating punishment, giving Hooker every opportunity to defend himself, but the veteran lightweight could only cover up. The fight was ultimately called, awarding Benoit Saint-Denis the TKO victory and extending his impressive finishing streak.
Following the bout, Saint-Denis reflected on his strategy, stating in his post-fight interview, “I had to resort to old Saint Denis. Seek and destroy sh*t.” This victory is Saint-Denis’s fourth consecutive win, following impressive finishes against Kyle Prepolec, Mauricio Ruffy, and Beneil Dariush in 2025, solidifying his reputation as one of the most consistent offensive forces in the lightweight division, as reported by CBS Sports.
Post-Fight Callouts: Saint-Denis Challenges Lightweight Elite
With a significant victory under his belt, Benoit Saint-Denis wasted no time in calling out the top names in the lightweight division, directly challenging for either a lightweight or BMF (Baddest Motherf***er) title shot. He explicitly named several high-profile fighters, including UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira.
Notably, Saint-Denis also aimed a direct challenge at Arman Tsarukyan, a top contender in the division. “Arman Tsarukyan, you say you’re the No. 1 contender? I’m here to take your f***ing spot,” Saint-Denis declared, signaling his intent to climb to the very top of the rankings, as detailed by Yahoo Sports. This aggressive post-fight stance underscores his confidence and ambition following his dominant performance in Sydney.
Benoit Saint-Denis’s decisive TKO win over a respected veteran like Dan Hooker, coupled with his immediate challenges to the division’s elite, clearly positions him as a serious threat and a must-watch contender in the UFC lightweight landscape.