The lightweight championship is not the only title up for grabs at 155 pounds.
While the focus has largely been on the newly crowned welterweight champion since Islam Makhachev unseated Jack Della Maddalena in one-sided fashion at UFC 322, there was also a big result in the division that the Dagestani formerly ruled over.
The pay-per-view main card at Madison Square Garden opened with Benoit Saint-Denis knocking out Beneil Dariush in just 16 seconds. That result marked the Frenchman’s third straight finish and has begun to put his name back into the title conversation at 155 pounds.
But taking Ilia Topuria’s divisional belt is not the only aspiration held by the in-form ‘God of War’.
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Benoit Saint-Denis is targeting more than just the lightweight title after UFC 322
Among those vying for the lightweight title is featherweight legend Max Holloway. After missing out on a return to the 145-pound throne in 2024, ‘Blessed’ had a different title wrapped around his waist this past July.
At UFC 318, Holloway beat Dustin Poirier in their trilogy fight for the symbolic BMF championship, sending ‘The Diamond’ into retirement off the back of one final five-round war.
The legendary Hawaiian now has a new target on his back, and Saint-Denis is looking at it intently.
“I am blessed to be in this division. Any fight inside the top five will be a huge fight,” Saint-Denis said regarding his next step after UFC 322 on The Ariel Helwani Show.
“My absolute goal is to get that BMF and that lightweight belt. Two huge titles for one division.
“I believe it is a privilege to be in this tough, tough division, and to have two belts on the line,” he added.
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Beneil Dariush issues statement after brutal 16-second KO at UFC 322
While Saint-Denis continued his charge and is now looking ahead to big things in the lightweight division, UFC 322 marked another crushing night at the office for Dariush.
Since an eight-fight win streak put him on the cusp of a first title shot, the Iran-born fighter has lost three of his last four bouts.
Every defeat has come via knockout, and the latest against ‘God of War’ has only increased questions surrounding a potential retirement for the 36-year-old.
Dariush addressed his UFC 322 setback in a post-fight statement on Instagram, keeping his cards close to his chest when it comes to the future.
“I’m alright,” Dariush wrote. “Not injured, just disappointed.”