Beneil Dariush before UFC 317: Training for Renato Moicano 'kind of stale' now
Beneil Dariush before UFC 317: Training for Renato Moicano 'kind of stale' now
Beneil Dariush admits there is a challenge in keeping things fresh during preparation for his UFC 317 fight against Renato Moicano.
Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC) will return to competition for the first time in 18 months when he meets Moicano (20-6-1 MMA, 12-6 UFC) in a lightweight bout on the June 28 card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). At least he hopes that's what will go down.
The pair were initially scheduled to fight at UFC 311 in January, but it fell apart on weigh-in day when Moicano was elevated into a main event title fight against Islam Makhachev. The left Dariush without an opponent or fight, which was disappointing despite being paid his full purse.
Dariush, No. 8 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie lightweight rankings, said he understands why the UFC rescheduled the bout with No. 12-ranked Moicano. However, he's now been training for the same opponent since late 2024, and it's a little dull.
"You get kind of stale on it," Dariush told MMA Junkie Radio. "I've got to freshen up on all the homework I was doing. ... I don't really look at it as unfinished business."
The biggest driving force for Dariush going into UFC 317 is knowing that the 155-pound division is a new world of opportunity after Makhachev vacated the belt to move to welterweight. Ilia Topuria will fight Charles Oliveira to crown a new champion on the same card where Dariush competes.
Dariush said that's a good opportunity for him to perform and show he's still a real contender.
"I could be maybe two fights away," Dariush said. "If I have a good performance now, I beat a top five guy then I beat a top five guy, I'm in title contention. You never know. Sometimes one fight might be enough. It might take three. It will probably take two more fights to be honest with you."
As far as who will leave UFC 317 with the belt, Dariush said he's inclined to believe that Topuria is about to get his moment of glory and take the division into a new phase.
"I don't think I have a preference," Dariush said. "I want the best fighter to win. It's interesting to see if Ilia's style will translate from 145 to 155, because there is a different size, but there is going to be a different pressure in that size difference. Will he be able to apply the same pressure at 155? Will he be able to handle the grappling at 155? I feel like the answer is yes, but I'm looking forward to seeing it, especially against a guy like Charles. Charles is fantastic."
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