"I am free to be the broken savage that I am" - Beneil Dariush gives hair-raising account of his relationship with the octagon

Beneil Dariush scored a decision win over surging lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280. While both fighters started out evenly, 'Benny' found his flow state as the fight progressed, clearly outstriking Gamrot.

Dariush claimed that this fight was different, wherein he felt he could go on forever. The 33-year-old said in an interview with ESPN MMA's Brett Okamoto:

"I'm telling you, man, something was different in this fight where I felt like I could fight forever. I was like, 15 minutes of freedom, I don't wanna lose these 15 minutes. But like, yeah, I wanted to stay in there for longer."

Okamoto noted that Dariush's likable personality often overshadows the absolute savage that lies underneath. 'Benny' claimed that his time inside the octagon is the only time when he is free to unleash the savage instead of being a "servant." The UFC lightweight contender further said:

"This is the way I explain it to people, I'm a servant in all things. Like literally all things. Except for those 15 minutes. In those 15-25 minutes, I'm free to be the broken savage that I am. And I wanna take advantage of that."

Watch Beneil Dariush's interview with ESPN MMA below:

---

Beneil Dariush dedicates his win to Iranian protestors

Beneil Dariush dedicated his UFC 280 victory over Mateusz Gamrot to the people of Iran currently protesting against their authoritarian government. However, 'Benny', a fighter of Assyrian descent, also bizarrely advised the Iranian people to convert to Christianity, claiming that it's the path to true freedom.

The 33-year-old said in his post-fight octagon interview:

“My people in Iran, I know you are struggling. I know you are fighting for freedom. I want you guys to know we’re praying for you and we love you. There is true freedom—a freedom that no one can take from you—in the name of Jesus Christ, the son of God. Don’t ever forget that. If you remember one thing I say, remember that.”

Watch Beneil Dariush's post-fight interview below:

The protests in Iran started after the death of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini. Amini was arrested by Iran's morality police, known as guidance patrols, or Gasht-e Ershad, on September 13 for allegedly refusing to wear the 'hijab'. She died in captivity three days later after being assaulted by the officers, sparking mass outrage throughout the nation.