In an exciting announcement made by UFC CEO Dana White on Sunday evening, a major lightweight matchup between Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint Denis has been added to the highly anticipated UFC 299 pay-per-view event. The fight, scheduled to take place on March 9 in Miami, will serve as the co-main event of the evening.

The 155-pound contest between Poirier and Saint Denis will be a five-round battle, deviating from the usual three-round length for non-title fights. Poirier, a former interim lightweight champion, will be looking to bounce back from his previous loss to Justin Gaethje in July, where he suffered a devastating head kick knockout. Despite this setback, Poirier remains one of the top challengers in the UFC lightweight division and is currently ranked third behind champion Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira, and Gaethje. Poirier has achieved notable victories, including two wins over the renowned Conor McGregor.

Representing Louisiana, Poirier trains with the esteemed American Top Team in south Florida, making the fight in Miami a homecoming of sorts for the fighter.

On the other hand, this is a significant opportunity for Benoit Saint Denis, who will be vying to break into the top-10 rankings in his UFC career. The French lightweight is currently riding a five-fight win streak after initially stumbling in his UFC debut in 2021. Saint Denis has showcased his skill set by finishing all five of his UFC victories, with three wins by knockout and two by submission.

UFC 299 is shaping up to be an action-packed event, with the bantamweight title fight between Sean O'Malley and Marlon "Chito" Vera set to headline the night at the Kaseya Center.

Fight fans can expect an exhilarating clash between Poirier and Saint Denis, as both fighters have demonstrated their prowess inside the octagon. The UFC 299 event promises to deliver an unforgettable night of high-stakes bouts and electrifying matchups.