Beneil Dariush shared his analysis of Ilia Topuria's decision to fight Justin Gaethje instead of Islam Makhachev. According to Dariush, Topuria did not have a clear strategic plan for facing Makhachev, which influenced his choice. Dariush believes Topuria viewed the Gaethje fight as a more lucrative opportunity that would be easier to prepare for tactically. He suggested that developing a game plan for Gaethje is significantly simpler compared to the complexities of preparing for Makhachev's style.
Lightweight contender Beneil Dariush has offered his take on why Ilia Topuria opted to fight Justin Gaethje rather than pursue a clash with Islam Makhachev, suggesting the Georgian-Spanish star lacked a concrete game plan for the reigning champion.
Dariush, who holds a 23-8-1 record and sits ranked eighth in the lightweight division, made the comments publicly on April 14. The 37-year-old southpaw out of Kings MMA lands 3.78 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy and averages 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a well-rounded lens through which to assess high-level tactical decisions in the division.
According to Dariush, Topuria viewed the Gaethje matchup as both a more financially rewarding opportunity and a simpler fight to prepare for strategically. He argued that building a game plan against Gaethje is far more straightforward than cracking the puzzle that Makhachev presents.
It is easy to see the logic. Makhachev, who carries a 28-1 record and holds champion status, is widely considered one of the most tactically complex fighters in the sport. The 34-year-old Russian southpaw averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and submits opponents at a rate of 1.1 attempts per 15 minutes, all while posting a striking accuracy of 58 percent — among the highest in any division.
Topuria, ranked second at lightweight and first in the pound-for-pound rankings at just 29 years old, carries a 17-1 record and is one of the division's most dangerous strikers, averaging 4.81 significant strikes per minute. Dariush's implication is that even a fighter of that caliber found Makhachev's style too difficult to solve on short notice or without a clear tactical blueprint.
Why it matters
- Topuria's path through Gaethje could delay a potential lightweight title shot against Makhachev
- Makhachev's grappling-heavy, high-accuracy style continues to deter potential challengers tactically
- Dariush, ranked eighth, has a vested interest in how the top of the lightweight division shapes up
