Beneil Dariush Says Topuria Chose Gaethje Over Makhachev Due to Plan Difficulty

Beneil Dariush believes Ilia Topuria did not have a clear game plan for facing Islam Makhachev, which influenced his decision to fight Justin Gaethje instead. According to Dariush, Topuria viewed the Gaethje bout as a more lucrative opportunity. He suggests it is significantly easier to prepare a tactical plan against Gaethje compared to the challenges posed by Makhachev. Dariush's comments provide insight into the strategic considerations behind Topuria's recent fight selection. The statement reflects on the differing levels of difficulty in preparing for elite lightweight contenders.