The UFC returns to Paris this Saturday, and the Accor Arena is set to erupt. French MMA has exploded in recent years, and this card captures that momentum perfectly: a hometown headliner in Nassourdine Imavov, fan-favorite Benoît Saint-Denis in a co-main that promises chaos, and a stacked mix of veterans, rising prospects, and promotional newcomers all eager to seize the spotlight.

At the top of the bill, Imavov meets Brazil’s Caio Borralho in a pivotal middleweight clash that could determine the next title challenger. Elsewhere, Saint-Denis looks to cement his place among lightweight contenders against Mauricio Ruffy, while Bellator legend Patricio “Pitbull” Freire tests undefeated upstart Losene Keita in a fascinating featherweight showdown.

From heavyweight sluggers to debuting prospects, UFC Paris blends local pride with global intrigue. Here’s a detailed breakdown of every fight on the main card and prelims — strengths, weaknesses, key dynamics, and paths to victory.

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Main Event: Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho (Middleweight)

• Imavov: Sniper jab, patient counterstriker, great distance control; but can be low-output and vulnerable to wrestling.
• Borralho: Southpaw pressure, strong clinch and ground game, high fight IQ; but striking at range is limited and cardio may be compromised from a tough cut.
• Dynamic: Striking chess match vs. grinding cage wrestling.
• Edge: Imavov if he survives early grappling, via decision or late TKO.

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Co-Main: Benoît Saint-Denis vs. Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight)

• Saint-Denis: Relentless pace, huge durability, underrated submissions; but hittable and absorbs too much early damage.
• Ruffy: Crisp boxing, technical striking, solid takedown defense; but less tested in high-pressure wars.
• Dynamic: BSD thrives in chaos — if Ruffy stays disciplined, it’s closer.
• Edge: Saint-Denis via attrition, TKO/sub in R3+.

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Patricio “Pitbull” Freire vs. Losene Keita (Featherweight)

• Pitbull: Experience, power hooks, veteran fight IQ; but slower now, mileage is a factor.
• Keita: Youth, speed, sharp kickboxing, undefeated confidence; but UFC debut nerves could be real.
• Dynamic: Torch-passing fight. Pitbull wants a pocket brawl; Keita must stay long.
• Edge: Keita if he avoids trading, decision win.

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Bolaji Oki vs. Mason Jones (Lightweight)

• Oki: Explosive knockout power, athletic; but untested in deep waters.
• Jones: Durable, high-volume striker, pressure fighter; but defensive lapses make him hittable.
• Dynamic: If Oki clips him early, it’s over. If not, Jones grinds him late.
• Edge: Jones via decision or late rally.

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Modestas Bukauskas vs. Paul Craig (Light Heavyweight)

• Bukauskas: Kick-heavy striking, mobile, power; but can be outmuscled in grappling.
• Craig: Elite submissions, unorthodox style; but striking is limited.
• Dynamic: Classic striker vs. grappler.
• Edge: Bukauskas KO/TKO, though Craig is always dangerous with a sub.

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Kauê Fernandes vs. Harry Hardwick (Lightweight)

• Fernandes: Speedy, well-rounded, sharp counters; but slows under grinding pace.
• Hardwick: Pressure, toughness, Cage Warriors experience; but short-notice debut could hurt cardio.
• Dynamic: Technical finesse vs. brawling grit.
• Edge: Fernandes decision, though Hardwick can drag him into a war.

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Prelims

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William Gomis vs. Robert Ruchała (Featherweight)

• Gomis: Rangy striker, awkward movement; but can get controlled on the ground.
• Ruchała: Scrappy grappler, persistent wrestling; but striking lags behind.
• Edge: Ruchała if he wrestles, Gomis if it stays standing — leaning Ruchała via control.

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Oumar Sy vs. Brendson Ribeiro (Light Heavyweight)

• Sy: Aggressive pressure striker, power shots; but defense is questionable.
• Ribeiro: Explosive but inconsistent, defensive holes.
• Edge: Sy in a brawl — likely KO/TKO.

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Marcin Tybura vs. Ante Delija (Heavyweight)

• Tybura: Veteran grinder, underrated grappling; but chin has faded.
• Delija: Big power, aggressive early; but questionable cardio.
• Edge: Delija early KO chance, but Tybura likely survives and grinds a decision.

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Axel Sola vs. Rhys McKee (Welterweight)

• Sola: Talented French debutant, slick grappling; but debut nerves matter.
• McKee: Volume striker, experience edge; but vulnerable to takedowns.
• Edge: Sola by grappling control, decision/sub.

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Sam Patterson vs. Trey Waters (Welterweight)

• Patterson: Long frame, creative striking; but chin is suspect.
• Waters: Durable, steady pressure; but can be outpointed.
• Edge: Waters by durability and consistency.

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Brad Tavares vs. Robert Bryczek (Middleweight)

• Tavares: Durable veteran, solid fundamentals; but slowing with age.
• Bryczek: Power puncher, aggressive; but limited defensively.
• Edge: Bryczek upset via KO, unless Tavares stays sharp.

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Andreas Gustafsson vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov (Welterweight)

• Gustafsson: Tough, grinding style, pressure-heavy.
• Fakhretdinov: Elite sambo wrestling, relentless takedowns.
• Edge: Fakhretdinov dominates with wrestling.

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Shauna Bannon vs. Sam Hughes (Women’s Strawweight)

• Bannon: High pace, strong striking output; but less experienced.
• Hughes: Durable, gritty wrestler; but lacks finishing threat.
• Edge: Close — leaning Hughes by wrestling control.

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Final Thoughts

UFC Paris is more than just another Fight Night — it’s a statement card for French MMA and a showcase of Europe’s rising wave of talent. From Nassourdine Imavov’s title aspirations to Benoît Saint-Denis’ relentless quest for lightweight glory, to the new blood testing themselves against hardened veterans, this event blends storylines with high-stakes matchups in every division.

The Accor Arena crowd is known for its passion, and that atmosphere will add another layer of intensity to each contest. Whether it’s a grinding wrestling battle, a striker’s chess match, or a chaotic brawl, this card has every ingredient for drama.

When the dust settles, we may be looking at a new contender emerging from Paris — and plenty of fresh names etched into the UFC landscape.