Beneil Dariush believes Ilia Topuria did not have a clear game plan for fighting Islam Makhachev, which influenced his decision to face Justin Gaethje instead. According to Dariush, Topuria viewed the Gaethje fight as a money-making opportunity. Dariush suggests that preparing a tactical plan for Gaethje is significantly simpler compared to developing one for Makhachev. The lightweight contender indicates this strategic consideration played a major role in Topuria's choice. Dariush's comments address the featherweight champion's decision-making regarding potential opponents.
Lightweight contender Beneil Dariush has offered his take on why featherweight-turned-lightweight star Ilia Topuria opted to fight Justin Gaethje rather than champion Islam Makhachev, suggesting the decision came down to game-plan clarity and financial motivation.
Dariush, ranked eighth at lightweight with a record of 23-8-1, argued that Topuria simply did not have a clear tactical blueprint for dealing with Makhachev. The 37-year-old American fighter from Kings MMA contended that preparing a game plan for Gaethje is considerably more straightforward than building one against Makhachev, and that the Gaethje fight represented an easier path to a big payday for Topuria.
Topuria, currently ranked second in the lightweight division and first in the pound-for-pound rankings, carries an impressive 17-1-0 record. The 29-year-old Spaniard is one of the sport's most active strikers, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. He also attempts 1.1 submissions per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat.
Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion according to the database, holds a 28-1-0 record and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings as well. The 34-year-old Russian is renowned for his tactical complexity — he leads with 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate, the highest among the three fighters mentioned, while also averaging 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Dariush's comments frame Topuria's matchmaking as strategically calculated rather than purely competitive
- Makhachev's grappling and submission threat rate present a uniquely difficult puzzle compared to Gaethje's more striker-friendly profile
- Topuria's choice has direct implications for the lightweight title picture and when, or whether, a Makhachev superfight gets made
