Latest news with #Dariush
USA Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Beneil Dariush warns Ilia Topuria: Charles Oliveira is 'really dangerous against boxers'
Beneil Dariush warns Ilia Topuria: Charles Oliveira is 'really dangerous against boxers' Beneil Dariush thinks Charles Oliveira is being heavily underestimated against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317. Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) meets Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) for the vacant lightweight title in the June 28 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). Oliveira is being counted out by oddsmakers, pundits, and fellow fighters, but Dariush points out an aspect of Oliveira's game that could pose more problems for Topuria than many think. "I think it's a lot closer than people think," Dariush told Submission Radio. "I think Charles is really tough. He's got a good chin, he's got good jiu-jitsu, he's got great striking, and what's going to be difficult for Ilia is Charles' striking is, I think, really dangerous against good boxers. The way he throws his knees, the way he clinches – and those are things you can do to slow down Ilia. "Because, for example, a good boxer will dip low to fake or feint to get in on the inside, and that's times where Charles will just raise his knee and mess with your timing or throw a kick – things like that. So I think the fight's a lot closer. I understand why people are favoring Ilia, and I think if you had to ask me, I probably would favor him as well, but I don't think it's going to be like, 'Oh, he's going to walk through Charles' like everybody thinks." Oliveira is the UFC's all-time leader in both finishes and submission wins. However, on the flip side, Dariush sees Topuria's ground game also being a threat. "Charles is always dangerous," Dariush said. "Here's what I would say: I know Ilia's jiu-jitsu is very good because when he fought Ryan Hall, he did really well. Even if the fight was on the ground or he was throwing ground and pound, he did fine. The fact that he was able to stuff Bryce (Mitchell)'s takedowns and eventually turn it around, and then when he was on top, he was able to just get into positions really quickly. "Bryce has good jiu-jitsu. I don't care what people say – the guy can grapple. You can not be a fan of his, but you can't say he's not a good grappler. He's a good grappler. I feel like he fought other grapplers, and he just shuts them down. I think Ilia's grappling is very, very good, and if anything, it could be considered underrated." Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC) competes on the same card as Topuria vs. Oliveira when he takes on Renato Moicano (20-6-1 MMA, 12-6 UFC) on the UFC 317 main card.
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
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."
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Beneil Dariush explains how Islam Makhachev could be stuck in a lose-lose fight with Ilia Topuria
Islam Makhachev 's potential fight against Ilia Topuria has sparked plenty of buzz in the MMA world, but not all attention is positive. While many fans eagerly anticipate the clash between the lightweight champion and the rising star, UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush believes Makhachev is caught in a lose-lose situation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The crux of the issue lies in the expectations surrounding Makhachev, who seems to be in an uncomfortable position, whether he wins, loses, or even if the fight doesn't happen at all. Here's why Dariush thinks it's a tough call for Makhachev. The high stakes of Islam Makhachev's potential fight with Ilia Topuria has already cemented his status as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, with wins over former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and others. So why is the fight with , a fighter still building his legacy in the UFC, considered a potentially problematic choice for Makhachev? According to Beneil Dariush, it all boils down to the way fans react to victories and losses in today's "toxic" MMA culture . 'Islam Makhachev won't receive credit whether he does or doesn't fight Ilia Topuria,' Dariush told Inside Fighting. 'If the lightweight champ proved to be successful in that matchup, there would be a contingent of fans who would downplay his accomplishments due to the fact that he already beat Alexander Volkanovski on two occasions.' Dariush argues that even a win over Topuria may not elevate Makhachev the way it should, given the fact that many fans may dismiss the victory as just another notch on the belt, given Volkanovski's dominance in two separate weight classes. On the other hand, a loss to Topuria would be a huge setback, especially considering the expectations of MMA fans. Makhachev also faces the pressure of an expectation that this fight must happen, something Dariush believes makes it even harder for the champion. 'It's like, 'Ah, you gotta fight this guy,'' Dariush said. 'The champion gets to fight whoever he wants kind of.' Why Islam Makhachev might benefit from delaying his next fight Although Ilia Topuria has made it clear that he will be competing at UFC 317 , the timeline for Islam Makhachev's next fight is still up in the air. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Dariush suggests that Makhachev could take a step back and wait for a better opportunity, especially considering the lightweight champion just fought this year. 'He could wait because he just fought and he could wait a little bit and see who's going to be available,' Dariush said. Given that Topuria is a featherweight and Makhachev has already fought elite competition, Dariush suggests that Makhachev could afford some time before making his next move. Also Read: Islam Makhachev finds himself in a difficult position where no matter what choice he makes, the outcome could be less than satisfying in the eyes of some MMA fans. Whether he fights Topuria or waits for a different opportunity, the Russian fighter's next move could have a significant impact on his legacy. It's a delicate balancing act between satisfying fans and managing his career trajectory as one of the UFC's most elite champions.
USA Today
11-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Beneil Dariush wouldn't be against Ilia Topuria getting a title shot vs. UFC champion Islam Makhachev
Beneil Dariush approves of Ilia Topuria getting an immediate title shot at lightweight. Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) vacated his UFC featherweight belt after admitting that the weight cut was too strenuous on him. 'El Matador' is eyeing a title fight against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Despite only defending his title once with a knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308, Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6 UFC) doesn't see anyone else in the lightweight title picture as more worthy at the moment. 'You can't really disagree with it,' Dariush told MMA Junkie. 'Because he became champion, he defended his belt, and he's just like, 'Hey, I'm too big. I don't want to make this weight cut anymore, so I want to fight '55.' I wouldn't be against him fighting for 155, especially since the UFC said they're not going to allow Arman (Tsarukyan) to have his fight for the title. 'So, if Arman's not getting the title shot, Charles Oliveira – I understand he's supposed to be the No. 1 contender, but I would say Ilia's credentials are better at this moment. He's riding quite the win streak so, I definitely wouldn't be like, 'Oh, this is a mistake. They shouldn't have this fight.'' Dariush can see where Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) is coming from when he says he doesn't want to fight another featherweight in Topuria, but says this time it's a little different. 'I think the situation is this, I don't think Makhachev really wants to fight another '45'er,' Dariush continued. 'He fought (Alexander) Volkanovski because he wanted to be pound-for-pound champion because at that time, Volkanovski was. He beat Volkanovski so he's kind of over that I would say. 'He doesn't really want to fight another 145'er. But, the difference now is Ilia is moving up and he's an actual '55'er. He's not going back down to 145. All it requires is for Makhachev to agree. If Makhachev agrees to fight him, I think the fight happens
USA Today
11-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC's Beneil Dariush open to rebooking Renato Moicano fight, but says Dan Hooker 'would be ideal'
Beneil Dariush sees Dan Hooker as a perfect option for his next fight. Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6 UFC) was scheduled to return against Renato Moicano at UFC 311 in January, but didn't end up competing after Moicano was pulled to face lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the main event. Dariush also put his hand up to step in, but the UFC ultimately went with Moicano. Moicano (20-6-1 MMA, 12-6 UFC) wound up getting quickly submitted by Makhachev. Dariush, who was paid his purse, said the promotion promised to make it up to him. He'd accept rescheduling the Moicano fight, even though he wouldn't classify that as being rewarded. 'They've mentioned that about rebooking that fight, and I'm not against it because I'm not in a situation where I could be like, 'Oh, I want to fight this guy' coming off two losses,' Dariush told MMA Junkie. 'So if that's the fight they want to make, that's fine. I just figured when Dana (White) said, 'We're going to make it up to Dariush,' I figured it would be somebody ranked actually higher than me, not behind me. So whatever.' Hooker (24-12 MMA, 14-8 UFC) was scheduled to face Justin Gaethje in Saturday's UFC 313 co-main event, but was forced out after fracturing his hand. He underwent surgery and is targeting a return at UFC 317 on June 28 against Arman Tsarukyan. If Hooker doesn't get that fight, Dariush is ready to face him in that timeline. 'Dan Hooker would be ideal because he's ranked ahead of me, and if he's trying to come back at International Fight Week, that would be a perfect time,' Dariush said. 'That's perfectly fine with me. I would be very happy with that setup if that's what they do.' Dariush also likes how he matches up with Hooker, who's on a three-fight winning streak. 'I have better tools everywhere,' Dariush said. 'I think I can outstrike him, I can outgrapple him, I even think I can outdog him if it's a three-round fight. I don't see where he would have an advantage over me.'
