Benoît Saint Denis Claims Infection Hampered UFC 299 Performance In First Statement Post-Defeat To Dustin Poirier

Due to health issues, lightweight contender Benoît Saint Denis has revealed that he only had "one round to give" against Dustin Poirier at this past weekend's UFC 299 pay-per-view.

Saint Denis entered the cage for Saturday's co-main event at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, with a big opportunity in front of him. Opposite a longtime top five mainstay and former interim champion, the Frenchman was targeting a surge into the title picture.

Unfortunately for "God of War," despite a valiant effort, he failed to have his hand raised in the "Magic City." After a strong opening round for Saint Denis, he fell victim to Poirier's power in the second, with a right hook and brutal follow-up shot rendering him unconscious. 

During fight week, much had been made about an abscess on the French standout's forehead, with many concluding that he was battling a staph infection. Saint Denis has now revealed that he was indeed suffering from an illness in the lead-up to UFC 299.

Saint Denis Says He 'Couldn't Fully Express' Himself At UFC 299

In his first social media statement following the knockout loss at the hands of Poirier, Saint Denis apologised to his supporters, stating that he was only able to give them one round in Miami.

That's because "God of War" entered the fight off the back of a week taking antibiotics to fight an infection — seemingly confirming the diagnosis' that flowed following his pre-event photoshoot.