Beneil Dariush has offered his perspective on why Ilia Topuria chose to fight Justin Gaethje instead of Islam Makhachev. According to Dariush, Topuria did not have a clear game plan for facing Makhachev, making the matchup too difficult to prepare for strategically. Dariush believes Topuria viewed the Gaethje fight as more financially lucrative while also being significantly easier to develop a tactical approach against. The comments suggest that Dariush sees the Gaethje matchup as a more manageable challenge from a preparation standpoint compared to the complexities of facing Makhachev.
Beneil Dariush has spoken out on why he believes Ilia Topuria opted to fight Justin Gaethje rather than pursue a bout with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, suggesting the decision came down to strategy and money.
Dariush, a 37-year-old southpaw ranked eighth in the lightweight division, carries a professional record of 23-8-1 and trains out of Kings MMA in the United States. Landing 3.78 significant strikes per minute with a 49 percent striking accuracy, he has established himself as one of the more technically complete fighters in a stacked 155-pound division. His perspective on the lightweight landscape carries weight given how long he has competed near the top of it.
Topuria, ranked second at lightweight and first in the pound-for-pound standings, holds a 17-1-0 record and trains out of Spain at Climent Club. Known as "El Matador," the 29-year-old Orthodox striker produces an impressive 4.81 significant strikes per minute and has shown well-rounded skills with 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Despite his elite status, Dariush claims Topuria simply could not map out a reliable game plan for facing Makhachev.
Makhachev, the reigning champion with a 28-1-0 record, is the current number-one pound-for-pound fighter and one of the sport's most dominant grapplers. The 34-year-old Russian averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 58 percent of his significant strikes, a combination that makes him extraordinarily difficult to prepare for. According to Dariush, those complexities pushed Topuria toward the Gaethje matchup, which he describes as both more financially rewarding and more tactically manageable.
Why it matters
- Topuria's avoidance of Makhachev, if accurate, leaves the lightweight title picture unsettled at its peak
- Makhachev's elite grappling and high striking accuracy make him a uniquely difficult puzzle for any opponent
- Dariush's comments add outside perspective to what has been an ongoing conversation about who will eventually challenge the champion
