Beneil Dariush shared his opinion on why Ilia Topuria opted to fight Justin Gaethje instead of Islam Makhachev. According to Dariush, Topuria did not have a clear plan for facing Makhachev, which influenced his decision. Dariush believes Topuria viewed the Gaethje fight as a lucrative opportunity. He added that preparing a game plan for Gaethje is significantly simpler than preparing for Makhachev.
Beneil Dariush has offered his take on why Ilia Topuria chose to face Justin Gaethje rather than pursue a bout with Islam Makhachev, suggesting the decision came down to tactical clarity and financial incentive.
Dariush, a 37-year-old lightweight ranked eighth in the division, carries a record of 23-8-1 and competes out of Kings MMA. The American southpaw lands 3.78 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy and averages 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded voice when assessing the strategic demands of the lightweight landscape.
Topuria, ranked second at lightweight and first in the pound-for-pound standings, holds a 17-1-0 record and fights out of Spain. The 29-year-old known as El Matador is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute, and has drawn significant attention following his rise through the featherweight and lightweight ranks.
Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion with a 28-1-0 record, is also ranked first pound-for-pound and presents a uniquely complex puzzle for any opponent. The 34-year-old Russian southpaw combines elite grappling — averaging 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — with 58 percent striking accuracy, a combination Dariush views as exceptionally difficult to prepare for.
According to Dariush, Topuria lacked a clear blueprint for solving Makhachev, and that absence of a defined game plan weighed on the decision. By contrast, Dariush argued that building a strategy for Gaethje is considerably more straightforward.
Why it matters
- Topuria's path at lightweight carries major divisional implications, with Makhachev still looming as a potential future opponent
- Dariush's comments reflect how fighters within the division perceive Makhachev's threat level compared to other top contenders
- The style contrast between Topuria's high-volume striking and Makhachev's grappling-heavy approach would represent one of the division's most complex matchups
