LAS VEGAS – Benoit Saint-Denis plans on making a statement against Ismael Bonfim then making a quick turnaround at home.
Saint-Denis (10-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) meets Bonfim (19-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 47 main card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
Bonfim is coming off a highlight-reel knockout of Terrance McKinney at UFC 283, and Saint-Denis wants to steal his momentum.
“He’s a tough Brazilian, tough opponent,” Saint-Denis told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 47 media day. “I think he must be better ranked than I am because he knocked (out) Terrance McKinney, so it’s a great opportunity to go higher in the rankings. I think it will be a great fight because it’s a good opponent to show your skills.”
Saint-Denis took part in the UFC’s debut show in Paris, where he had a standout performance against Gabriel Miranda this past September. His second-round TKO earned him a Performance of the Night.
The 27-year-old French fighter hopes he can beat Bonfim, then make a quick turnaround for the UFC’s next Paris show, which takes place on Sept. 2 at Accor Arena.
“First thing, I have to take Bonfim’s head off on Saturday,” Saint-Denis said. “And if it works, of course I would like to be in France. But first mission is to take Bonfim down.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 47.
