Dariush suggests Topuria chose Gaethje over Makhachev due to easier game plan

Beneil Dariush has offered his perspective on why Ilia Topuria chose to fight Justin Gaethje instead of pursuing a bout with Islam Makhachev. According to Dariush, Topuria did not have a clear plan for facing Makhachev, which influenced his decision-making. Dariush believes Topuria viewed the Gaethje fight as both a lucrative opportunity and a stylistically more manageable matchup. He stated that preparing a game plan for Gaethje is considerably simpler than developing one for Makhachev, suggesting the strategic complexity of facing the lightweight champion played a role in Topuria's choice. Dariush's analysis highlights the tactical considerations fighters weigh when selecting opponents at the highest level of the sport.