Beneil Dariush has offered his analysis on Ilia Topuria's decision to fight Justin Gaethje instead of Islam Makhachev. Dariush believes that Topuria did not have a clear game plan for facing Makhachev, which influenced his choice. According to Dariush, Topuria viewed the Gaethje fight as a lucrative opportunity that would be easier to prepare for strategically. He suggests that developing a fight plan against Gaethje is much more straightforward compared to preparing for Makhachev's skill set. The lightweight contender's comments provide insight into the strategic considerations fighters make when choosing opponents.
Beneil Dariush has weighed in on Ilia Topuria's decision to pursue a fight with Justin Gaethje rather than champion Islam Makhachev, offering a candid breakdown of what he believes drove the choice.
Dariush, a 37-year-old southpaw out of Kings MMA, holds a 23-8-1 record and sits eighth in the lightweight rankings. Standing five-foot-ten with a 72-inch reach, he has built his reputation as a technically well-rounded fighter, averaging 3.78 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy while also threatening consistently on the ground with 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Topuria, ranked second at lightweight and first in the pound-for-pound standings, carries a 17-1-0 record and is widely considered one of the sport's most dangerous finishers. The 29-year-old Spaniard averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute and attempts 1.1 submissions per 15 minutes, making him a multi-dimensional threat. Despite those credentials, Dariush argues the Georgian-born fighter did not have a clear tactical blueprint for handling Makhachev's skill set.
Makhachev, the reigning champion with a 28-1-0 record, presents a uniquely complex puzzle. The 34-year-old Russian leads the pound-for-pound rankings and combines elite grappling — 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — with a striking accuracy of 58 percent, the highest among the three fighters. Dariush's view is that mapping out a credible game plan against that combination proved difficult for Topuria's camp.
According to Dariush, the Gaethje fight offered a more straightforward preparation process alongside a financially attractive opportunity, making it the more appealing path forward for Topuria at this stage.
Why it matters
- Topuria's opponent selection has direct implications for whether Makhachev faces a mandatory challenger or continues to wait for the marquee matchup
- A Topuria win over Gaethje could further elevate his negotiating position for a future title shot
- Dariush, sitting eighth in the division, has a vested interest in how the lightweight picture develops above him
