Beneil Dariush believes Ilia Topuria lacked a clear strategy to defeat Islam Makhachev, which influenced his decision to fight Justin Gaethje instead. Dariush suggested that Topuria viewed the Gaethje matchup as a lucrative opportunity that would be easier to prepare for tactically compared to facing Makhachev. He stated it is much simpler to develop a fight plan against Gaethje than against the lightweight champion.
Lightweight contender Beneil Dariush has offered his take on why Ilia Topuria opted to fight Justin Gaethje rather than pursue a showdown with undisputed lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, suggesting the decision came down to tactical preparation.
Dariush, who holds a 23-8-1 record and sits ranked eighth in the lightweight division, made his views clear in a recent interview. The 37-year-old southpaw out of Kings MMA averages 3.78 significant strikes per minute with a 49 percent accuracy rate and adds a wrestling dimension with 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes. He argued that crafting a winning gameplan against Makhachev is a far more complex undertaking than doing the same against Gaethje, and that this reality shaped Topuria's path forward.
Topuria, ranked second in the lightweight division and the current number-one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, carries a 17-1-0 record at 29 years of age. The Spain-based orthodox striker known as El Matador generates an impressive 4.81 significant strikes per minute and attempts 1.1 submissions per 15 minutes. Dariush indicated that Topuria saw the Gaethje fight as both a financially rewarding opportunity and one that was more straightforward to approach tactically.
The man Topuria reportedly sidestepped, Makhachev, is a dominant force at the top of the division. The Russian champion carries a 28-1-0 record, holds the number-one pound-for-pound ranking, and is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport, posting a 58 percent striking accuracy rate alongside 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — numbers that illustrate why Dariush considers him such a difficult puzzle to solve.
Why it matters
- Topuria's choice of opponent directly affects the lightweight title picture and when a Makhachev unification or title defense fight materializes
- Dariush's comments highlight the strategic challenge Makhachev poses as a grappling-dominant southpaw champion with elite submission volume
- A Topuria win over Gaethje would likely strengthen his case for a future lightweight title shot, keeping the division's top of the rankings in flux
