Dariush: Topuria chose Gaethje over Makhachev due to lack of clear gameplan

Beneil Dariush believes Ilia Topuria opted to fight Justin Gaethje instead of Islam Makhachev because he didn't have a clear plan for facing the lightweight champion. According to Dariush, Topuria viewed the Gaethje matchup as a lucrative opportunity that would be much easier to prepare for strategically. Dariush suggested that developing a gameplan for Makhachev is significantly more complex than preparing for Gaethje. This assessment comes amid ongoing speculation about potential matchups in the lightweight and featherweight divisions. The comments reflect the tactical challenges presented by facing elite-level competition like Makhachev.