Beneil Dariush offered his analysis of Ilia Topuria's decision-making regarding potential opponents. Dariush believes Topuria did not have a clear plan for facing Islam Makhachev, which influenced his choice to fight Justin Gaethje instead. According to Dariush, Topuria viewed the Gaethje matchup as a lucrative opportunity that would be significantly easier to prepare for tactically. Dariush suggests that developing a game plan against Gaethje is much more straightforward than strategizing for Makhachev's style. This commentary provides insight into the strategic considerations fighters weigh when selecting opponents at the highest level.
Beneil Dariush has shared his take on why Ilia Topuria opted to pursue a fight with Justin Gaethje rather than champion Islam Makhachev, arguing the decision came down to tactical clarity and commercial appeal.
Dariush, a 37-year-old lightweight ranked eighth in the division with a career record of 23-8-1, spoke publicly about the strategic thinking he believes drove Topuria's choice. The Kings MMA product suggested Topuria simply had no clear game plan for handling Makhachev's style, and that uncertainty pushed him toward the Gaethje matchup instead. In Dariush's view, preparing for Gaethje is a far more straightforward exercise by comparison.
Topuria, ranked second in the lightweight division and first in the pound-for-pound rankings, carries a 17-1-0 record and operates out of Spain for Climent Club. The 29-year-old southpaw is one of the most active strikers at 155 pounds, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, and also averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a threat across multiple areas.
Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion competing at 28-1-0, presents a uniquely difficult puzzle for any opponent. The 34-year-old Russian leads the pound-for-pound rankings and blends elite grappling — averaging 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — with a striking accuracy of 58 percent that ranks among the best in the sport.
Why it matters
- Topuria's opponent selection directly shapes the lightweight division's title picture heading into 2026
- Makhachev remaining without a top challenger at lightweight creates a logjam among contenders, including Dariush himself
- The stylistic contrast Dariush highlights is real: Makhachev's wrestling-based pressure is a different tactical problem than Gaethje's forward striking
