Beneil Dariush shared his perspective on Ilia Topuria's decision to fight Justin Gaethje instead of Islam Makhachev. Dariush believes Topuria did not have a clear plan for facing Makhachev, which influenced his choice. According to Dariush, Topuria viewed the Gaethje fight as a money-making opportunity. Dariush stated it is much easier to prepare a game plan for Gaethje compared to Makhachev. The comments suggest Dariush sees strategic avoidance in Topuria's opponent selection.
Lightweight contender Beneil Dariush went on record this week to offer his take on why Ilia Topuria opted to fight Justin Gaethje rather than undisputed lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Dariush, who carries a 23-8-1 record and sits ranked eighth at lightweight, believes Topuria's decision came down to game-plan clarity. The 37-year-old Kings MMA product said Topuria simply did not have a defined blueprint for handling Makhachev, and that uncertainty steered him toward the Gaethje matchup. Dariush also suggested Topuria saw the fight as a more straightforward money-making opportunity. In Dariush's view, preparing for Gaethje is considerably easier than solving the puzzle Makhachev presents.
It is not a difficult argument to make on paper. Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record, currently reigns as champion, and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian southpaw out of Eagles MMA averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 58 percent of his significant strikes, making him one of the most technically suffocating fighters in the sport.
Topuria, ranked second at lightweight and first pound-for-pound, brings a 17-1 record and elite finishing ability into any conversation. The 29-year-old Spanish contender nicknamed El Matador lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and attempts 1.1 submissions per 15 minutes, showing a varied offensive threat. But Dariush's implication is clear — those tools are harder to deploy against Makhachev's wrestling-heavy, control-oriented style than against a more standup-focused opponent.
Why it matters
- Topuria's opponent selection directly shapes the lightweight title picture and when, or whether, a Makhachev unification bout happens
- Dariush, as a ranked contender at eighth, has a direct interest in how the top of the division sorts itself out
- The stylistic contrast between Makhachev's grappling dominance and Gaethje's forward striking pressure lends credibility to the game-plan argument Dariush is making
