Beneil Dariush believes Ilia Topuria did not have a clear game plan for a potential fight with Islam Makhachev, which influenced his decision to face Justin Gaethje instead. Dariush suggests Topuria viewed the Gaethje matchup as a more lucrative opportunity that would be easier to strategize for. According to Dariush, preparing a fight plan against Gaethje is significantly simpler than developing one for Makhachev. The comments reflect Dariush's perspective on Topuria's recent fight selection and strategic choices. This analysis offers insight into how fighters evaluate potential opponents based on tactical complexity and financial considerations.
Beneil Dariush has offered a pointed assessment of why Ilia Topuria opted to fight Justin Gaethje rather than pursue a matchup with Islam Makhachev, suggesting the decision came down to both strategic uncertainty and financial appeal.
Dariush, a 37-year-old lightweight ranked eighth in the division, carries a professional record of 23-8-1 and competes out of Kings MMA in the United States. Fighting out of a southpaw stance, the five-foot-ten veteran lands 3.78 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy and averages 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a well-rounded technical base from which to evaluate fighter matchups.
In his view, Topuria had no clear game plan for a potential fight with Makhachev and found the Gaethje bout a more manageable puzzle tactically — and a more rewarding one financially. Dariush described preparing for Gaethje as significantly simpler than devising a strategy against Makhachev.
That assessment carries weight when you consider Makhachev's profile. The 34-year-old Russian champion holds a 28-1-0 record, sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings, and is among the most complete fighters in the sport. He lands 58 percent of his significant strikes — one of the higher accuracy figures in the game — while averaging 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Topuria, meanwhile, enters as the number-two ranked lightweight and the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter outside of champions, holding a 17-1-0 record. The 29-year-old Spaniard known as El Matador is an aggressive output fighter, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Topuria vs. Makhachev remains one of the most anticipated potential lightweight title fights, and Dariush's comments add context to why it has not materialized.
- Makhachev's elite grappling volume and accuracy make him a uniquely difficult stylistic puzzle, which Dariush argues factored directly into Topuria's decision.
- The fight selection debate highlights how financial incentives and tactical considerations often shape matchmaking at the top of the lightweight division.
