Dariush says Topuria chose Gaethje over Makhachev due to easier fight plan

Beneil Dariush offered his analysis on why Ilia Topuria chose to fight Justin Gaethje instead of pursuing a bout with Islam Makhachev. Dariush suggested that Topuria viewed the Gaethje matchup as a fight where he could earn significant money while also being easier to game-plan for compared to Makhachev. According to Dariush, Topuria did not have a clear strategic plan for facing Makhachev, making Gaethje a more appealing option. Dariush stated he believes it is much simpler to prepare a fight plan for Gaethje than for the lightweight champion Makhachev. The comments provide insight into the strategic considerations fighters make when selecting opponents at the highest level.