Beneil Dariush believes Ilia Topuria did not have a clear plan to defeat Islam Makhachev, which influenced his decision to fight Justin Gaethje instead. Dariush suggested that Topuria viewed the Gaethje fight as a lucrative opportunity that would be much simpler to prepare for compared to facing Makhachev. According to Dariush, developing a game plan for Gaethje is significantly easier than crafting one for the dominant lightweight champion. This analysis offers insight into Topuria's strategic thinking when selecting opponents.
Beneil Dariush has offered a candid assessment of why Ilia Topuria opted to fight Justin Gaethje rather than pursue a unification clash with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, suggesting the decision came down to strategic simplicity.
Dariush, a 37-year-old southpaw from the United States competing out of Kings MMA, holds a professional record of 23-8-1 and sits ranked eighth in the lightweight division. A well-rounded technician, he lands 3.78 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy while averaging 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him credible standing to break down tactical decisions at the top of the division.
At the center of his analysis is Topuria, the number-two ranked lightweight and the sport's current pound-for-pound king. The 29-year-old Spaniard carries a 17-1-0 record and generates an eye-catching 4.81 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the most dangerous finishers in the game. Dariush's argument is that Topuria lacked a concrete blueprint to neutralize Makhachev and recognized the Gaethje matchup as both financially rewarding and considerably easier to prepare for.
The champion in question, Islam Makhachev, makes that case easy to understand. The 34-year-old Russian holds a 28-1-0 record, currently reigns as champion, and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings. His 58 percent striking accuracy is among the elite in the sport, and he averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes along with 1.1 submission attempts, presenting a multidimensional puzzle that has neutralized nearly every opponent he has faced.
Why it matters
- Topuria's opponent selection has direct implications for Makhachev's path to a lightweight unification or superfight
- A Gaethje victory could vault Topuria's profile further before a potential Makhachev meeting down the road
- Dariush's remarks, from the perspective of a ranked lightweight insider, add weight to the narrative that Makhachev remains the division's most difficult stylistic challenge
