Benoit Saint-Denis: The French Special Forces Operative Set to Take on Kyle Prepolec at UFC 315
As Benoit Saint-Denis prepares to face Kyle Prepolec in a highly anticipated lightweight matchup at UFC 315 on Saturday, May 10, 2025, fans are not only eager to see the action-packed bout but also intrigued by the French fighter’s storied past. According to reports from Pro Football Network, Saint-Denis, born on December 18, 1995, in Nimes, Gard, France, has a remarkable background that includes serving in the French military.
Saint-Denis, 29, is a former French special operations operative who served in the French Special Air Service (SAS). During his time in the military, he participated in counter-terrorism operations in Mali and other parts of West Africa. For his bravery and service, Saint-Denis was awarded France’s ‘Medal of the Nation’s Gratitude’ and the ‘Combatant’s Cross’. This information was revealed in an interview on UFC Connected’s Fighter Focus hosted by Megan Olivi in 2024, as reported by Pro Football Network.
In the interview, Saint-Denis himself shared insights into his childhood and the influence of his family’s military background. He stated, "I had a very happy childhood when I was young. I have four little brothers. We had everything we needed. We were a group of brothers looking out for each other. I took my role as a firstborn child very seriously. I wanted to be a knight, you know? Because the knight is the one who is protecting the weak against the strong." He added that his father, a member of the French Foreign Legion, had a significant impact on his decision to pursue a career in the military. As Pro Football Network reported, Saint-Denis said, "My father was in the French Foreign Legion. He worked on missions outside of the country, so we moved a lot. I looked at his career, and I knew it was partly the way I wanted to take."
Saint-Denis’ military career involved serving as a French Special Air Service member, where he conducted counter-terrorism operations in the Sub-Saharan region against Boko Haram and other branches of Islamic State. He also provided protection for high-value personalities, including the president, ministers, and generals, in various African countries. As quoted by Pro Football Network, Saint-Denis explained, "Also, I did a lot of sensitive site exploitation, which is having a fast collection of the information you have on the ground to try to directly use it to have another action in the night. I worked my a** off so I could be successful in it … After five years in spec ops, I was looking for my own adventure."
The French fighter revealed that he eventually wanted to be his own boss, which led him to leave the military and pursue a career in mixed martial arts. He began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2017 and kickboxing in 2018. Saint-Denis stated, "God of War" recounted that he felt if he didn’t try his hand at a potential MMA career, he’d regret it. According to Pro Football Network, Saint-Denis made his professional MMA debut in February 2019 and his UFC promotional debut in October 2021. His current MMA record stands at 13 victories, three defeats, and one No Contest (NC).
As Saint-Denis prepares to face Kyle Prepolec at UFC 315, fans will be keeping a close eye on the French fighter’s performance. With his impressive military background and growing MMA career, Saint-Denis is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the Octagon. As reported by Pro Football Network, this highly anticipated matchup is set to take place on May 10, 2025, and fans can expect an exciting and intense battle between two skilled fighters.
Saint-Denis’ journey from the French Special Forces to the UFC is a testament to his bravery, dedication, and perseverance. As Pro Football Network highlighted, his story serves as an inspiration to many, and his upcoming fight against Kyle Prepolec is sure to be a thrilling encounter.
