Beneil Dariush stated that Ilia Topuria did not have a clear game plan for facing Islam Makhachev, which led him to choose a fight with Justin Gaethje instead. Dariush believes Topuria viewed the Gaethje matchup as a money fight that would be much simpler to prepare for compared to facing Makhachev. The lightweight contender suggested that developing a strategic plan for Gaethje is considerably easier than creating one for the dominant champion Makhachev. Dariush's comments explain what he sees as the reasoning behind Topuria's opponent selection.
Beneil Dariush has offered his take on why Ilia Topuria opted to fight Justin Gaethje rather than challenge lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, suggesting the decision came down to preparation difficulty and financial appeal.
Dariush, who holds a 23-8-1 record and sits ranked eighth in the lightweight division, voiced his perspective on Topuria's opponent selection. The 37-year-old American fighter, who trains out of Kings MMA, carries a well-rounded game that includes 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes and a striking output of 3.78 significant strikes per minute. His comments framed Topuria's choice as a pragmatic calculation rather than a bold challenge-seeking move.
Topuria, ranked second at lightweight and currently sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings at number one, carries a 17-1-0 record and is among the most dangerous strikers in the sport. The 29-year-old Spaniard lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and has shown elite finishing ability throughout his career. Dariush argued that Topuria lacked a clear blueprint for defeating Makhachev and found the Gaethje fight to be both more financially rewarding and considerably easier to game-plan for.
Makhachev, the reigning champion with a 28-1-0 record, presents a uniquely complex challenge. The 34-year-old Russian holds a 58 percent striking accuracy and averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, complemented by 1.1 submission attempts in the same span — a combination that makes him exceptionally difficult to prepare for at any level.
Why it matters
- Topuria's decision to avoid Makhachev, if accurate, has direct implications for the lightweight title picture and who gets the next shot at the champion.
- A win over Gaethje could strengthen Topuria's position as a mandatory challenger, though Dariush's comments cast doubt on whether Topuria is eager for that fight.
- Dariush himself remains in the lightweight mix at rank eight, and his public analysis of divisional politics keeps his name relevant in title-contender conversations.
