Beneil Dariush stated that Ilia Topuria did not have a clear plan for fighting Islam Makhachev, which is why he chose to face Justin Gaethje instead. Dariush suggested that Topuria viewed the Gaethje fight as a money opportunity that would be much easier to prepare for strategically. According to Dariush, developing a game plan against Gaethje is significantly simpler than creating one for Makhachev. The comments reflect Dariush's analysis of Topuria's recent matchmaking decisions.
Beneil Dariush has offered a pointed take on Ilia Topuria's matchmaking choices, arguing that the Georgian-Spanish contender passed on a fight with Islam Makhachev because he lacked a viable game plan for the champion.
Dariush, a 37-year-old lightweight ranked eighth in the division, made the comments in a recent interview. The American fighter out of Kings MMA carries a professional record of 23-8-1 and has long been a prominent voice in lightweight discussions. He lands 3.78 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy and adds a consistent grappling threat, averaging 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Topuria, ranked second at lightweight and the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport according to the current rankings, holds a 17-1-0 record. The 29-year-old fighting out of Spain is one of the division's most dangerous strikers, averaging 4.81 significant strikes per minute. Dariush's argument is that Topuria recognized the strategic complexity of facing Makhachev and opted instead for a matchup he could prepare for more straightforwardly.
Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion at 28-1-0, is widely regarded as one of the most difficult opponents to game-plan for in the sport. The 34-year-old Russian southpaw leads all three fighters in takedown volume at 3.2 per 15 minutes and posts a striking accuracy of 58 percent, the highest among the three men. Dariush suggested that developing a coherent strategy against that kind of multi-dimensional threat is a far more complicated task than preparing for Justin Gaethje.
Why it matters
- Topuria's path through the lightweight division carries significant title implications, and ducking or prioritizing opponents shapes the division's landscape.
- Makhachev's combination of elite grappling and precise striking makes him a uniquely difficult puzzle, lending credibility to Dariush's assessment.
- The comments add public pressure on Topuria's matchmaking decisions at a moment when his pound-for-pound status invites scrutiny over who he chooses to fight.
