Beneil Dariush has offered his analysis on why Ilia Topuria chose to fight Justin Gaethje instead of Islam Makhachev. According to Dariush, Topuria did not have a clear game plan for facing Makhachev, which influenced his decision. Dariush believes that preparing a strategy for Gaethje is much simpler than developing one for Makhachev. He also suggests that Topuria viewed the Gaethje fight as a better money-making opportunity. This perspective sheds light on the strategic considerations fighters make when selecting opponents.
Beneil Dariush has weighed in on one of the more debated matchmaking decisions in recent lightweight history, arguing that Ilia Topuria bypassed Islam Makhachev because no clear game plan existed for the champion.
Dariush, a 37-year-old American southpaw competing out of Kings MMA, carries a 23-8-1 record and sits eighth in the lightweight rankings. Operating at five-foot-ten with a 72-inch reach, he lands 3.78 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy and averages 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a credible technical lens through which to assess high-level matchups at 155 pounds.
The fighter he is analyzing, Topuria, holds a 17-1-0 record and currently ranks second in the division while sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings at just 29 years old. The Georgian-born Spaniard known as El Matador is one of the sport's most active strikers, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute, and also attempts 1.1 submissions per 15 minutes, reflecting a well-rounded offensive arsenal.
Makhachev, meanwhile, has established himself as perhaps the most difficult puzzle in the sport. The 34-year-old Russian holds a 28-1-0 record, carries the welterweight championship according to the verified data, and posts a 58 percent striking accuracy alongside 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — a combination that makes him exceptionally hard to prepare for on multiple fronts.
Dariush's core argument is straightforward: designing a winning strategy against Gaethje is a more manageable task than solving Makhachev, and Topuria recognized that. He also suggests financial motivation played a role, with Topuria seeing the Gaethje contest as the more lucrative path.
Why it matters
- Topuria's path to undisputed lightweight dominance runs through Makhachev, making his opponent selection a defining career question.
- Dariush's framing implies Makhachev's grappling-heavy, high-accuracy style presents a strategic problem few fighters have credibly answered.
- The commentary adds pressure on Topuria to eventually commit to the Makhachev matchup if he wants full recognition at 155 pounds.
