Beneil Dariush offered his analysis on why Ilia Topuria chose to fight Justin Gaethje rather than Islam Makhachev. According to Dariush, Topuria lacked a clear strategic plan for facing Makhachev, which influenced his decision-making. Dariush suggested that Topuria viewed the Gaethje fight as a more lucrative opportunity that would be easier to prepare for tactically. The lightweight contender believes developing a game plan for Gaethje is significantly simpler than creating one for the dominant wrestling-based champion Makhachev.
Beneil Dariush has weighed in on Ilia Topuria's decision to pursue a fight with Justin Gaethje rather than step up to challenge lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, offering a candid breakdown of what he believes drove the Georgian-Spanish star's thinking.
Dariush, ranked eighth in the lightweight division at 37 years old, carries a 23-8-1 record and trains out of Kings MMA. The southpaw stands five-foot-ten with a 72-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the more technically complete fighters in the division, averaging 3.78 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy while also posing a grappling threat with 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes.
His assessment centers on the difficulty of game-planning for Makhachev compared to Gaethje. According to Dariush, Topuria simply did not have a clear tactical blueprint for dealing with the champion, and that uncertainty played a meaningful role in steering him toward a different opponent. Dariush also suggested that the Gaethje bout represented a more financially attractive option that was easier to prepare for strategically.
Makhachev, 34, is the reigning champion and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings with a 28-1 record. Operating out of Eagles MMA, the Russian southpaw averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes at 58 percent striking accuracy — a combination that makes him uniquely difficult to map out.
Topuria, ranked second at lightweight and first pound-for-pound at just 29 years old, holds a 17-1 record and is one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute. The Spaniard's willingness to mix in submissions — 1.1 attempts per 15 minutes — adds another layer to his offensive game.
Why it matters
- Topuria's choice effectively delays what many see as the most significant lightweight title fight available
- Makhachev's wrestling-heavy style presents a puzzle few contenders have solved, lending credibility to Dariush's read
- The rankings picture at 155 pounds remains unsettled depending on how both matchups play out
