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Beneil Dariush came close to fighting Islam Makhachev before the Dagestani became UFC lightweight champion. The two fighters were scheduled to meet each other on February 26 this year. However, Dariush withdrew from the contest with a broken fibula. Bobby Green stepped in on short notice to face the Russian and got submitted in the first round.
Since winning the title, it seems the UFC wants Makhachev to face Alexander Volkanovski for his first title defense. Dana White said that the duo will probably fight in 2023 which leaves Dariush out in the cold as far as his title hopes go.
However, Beneil Dariush continues to make himself hard to ignore and is currently on an eight fight winning streak in the UFC. Dariush beat the highly-rated Mateusz Gamrot on the same card that Islam Makhachev put on a dominant performance against Charles Oliveira to secure the lightweight belt.
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Watch Beneil Dariush speak after beating Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280 here:
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Dariush recently spoke about the potential contest between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski and believes the Australian might be too small against the UFC lightweight champion. While speaking to Submission Radio, 'Benny' stated:
"Well, I mean, obviously I don’t want to discredit him [Volkanovski], but he might be too small for 155lbs."
Watch Dariush speak to Submission Radio here (23:49):
When did Beneil Dariush last lose in the UFC?
Beneil Dariush is on a tear in the UFC, winning his last eight fights. 'Benny' hasn't lost since taking on Alexander Hernandez at UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya in 2018.
Hernandez spectacularly finished Dariush in the very first round of their bout. 'The Great Ape' clipped Dariush's chin after just 42 seconds and took Dariush's winless streak to three fights at the time. 'Benny' had lost to Edson Barboza and drew against Evan Dunham before facing Hernandez.
However, the Iranian-born fighter didn't let this winless streak get him down. 'Benny' has beaten the likes of Scott Holtzman, Tony Ferguson, Drew Dober, and most recently Mateusz Gamrot during this great run of form.
Four of Dariush's recent wins have come via decision, with two coming via submission and two via stoppage. He also broke Tony Ferguson's ankle en route to a decision win, as 'El Cucuy' refused to tap even while writhing in pain.
