Beneil Dariush stated that Ilia Topuria lacked a clear plan for fighting Islam Makhachev, which led him to choose a bout with Justin Gaethje instead. Dariush suggested Topuria viewed the Gaethje fight as a money opportunity that would be much easier to prepare a game plan for compared to facing Makhachev. The comments represent Dariush's analysis of Topuria's strategic decision-making regarding opponent selection. No response from Topuria to these claims was included in the post.
Lightweight contender Beneil Dariush has offered a sharp critique of Ilia Topuria's opponent selection, arguing that Topuria steered away from a bout with Islam Makhachev because he had no clear game plan for that fight, opting instead for the more financially attractive and tactically manageable matchup with Justin Gaethje.
Dariush, ranked eighth in the lightweight division, carries a record of 23-8-1 and brings a well-rounded skill set to his analysis. The 37-year-old southpaw out of Kings MMA lands 3.78 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy and averages 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a credible perspective on the technical demands of elite-level lightweight competition.
The fighter he was discussing, Topuria, currently sits at number two in the lightweight rankings and holds the number one spot on the pound-for-pound list. The 29-year-old Spaniard carries a 17-1-0 record and is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute. His path to Makhachev, according to Dariush, was complicated precisely by how difficult it is to build a coherent strategy against the champion.
Makhachev, who holds a 28-1-0 record and is the reigning champion, is widely regarded as one of the most tactically suffocating fighters in the sport. The 34-year-old Russian southpaw strikes at 58 percent accuracy and averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a uniquely complex puzzle. Dariush's comments suggest Topuria found that puzzle unsolvable enough to look elsewhere.
Why it matters
- Topuria's path back to lightweight gold runs through Makhachev, so any perceived hesitation carries long-term divisional implications
- Dariush's ranking at eighth means he has a stake in how the lightweight title picture develops above him
- The style contrast between Topuria's volume striking and Makhachev's grappling-based control makes the matchup a genuine strategic challenge for either side
