"That would be the epitome of a clown show" - Beneil Dariush wants Conor McGregor out of lightweight title contender conversation

UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush believes it's time for Conor McGregor's name to no longer be mentioned when it comes to the lightweight title.

The No.6-ranked Dariush is heading to UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi this weekend to fight the No.9-ranked Mateusz Gamrot. 'Benny' was touted as a potential opponent for Charles Oliveira in the main event before Islam Makhachev was confirmed, and a win over Gamrot could place him next in line.

While out in Abu Dhabi during fight week, Dariush appeared on Submission Radio to give his breakdown of the upcoming card. The 33-year-old was asked how he would feel if Conor McGregor was chosen to fight for the title next instead of him:

"Let's get this guy out of the conversation man. He's not even in title contention. I know these guys all want to fight him but they were to make a fight right now with Conor as a contender, it's like spitting in the face of everybody in the top 5 or top 10. It's a joke. The guy hasn't won a fight at 155lbs in years... Eddie Alvarez? Six years ago."

Beneil Dariush added:

"Nah. This guy. That would be the epitome of a clown show. I don't know how else to put it than that."

Catch the full interview with Beneil Dariush here:

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Alexander Volkanovski responds to Beneil Dariush's claim that he's the UFC 280 main-event backup

UFC 280 will be headlined by Charles Oliveria vs. Islam Makhachev for the vacant lightweight title.

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski confirmed on Twitter that he is going to be the stand-in fighter if either Oliveira or Makhachev can't compete. Dariush has since rebuffed that statement, stating that he himself is the main-event back-up.

'The Great' has responded to Beneil Dariush and revealed he's being paid to make weight as a back-up fighter. The Australian champ instead believes there may have been a miscommunication:

"I don't know from his point, but I am the back-up fighter. I know I am. I'm flying my corner. We all got out flights, we got everything we need... So everything's already happening. I'm getting paid to jump on that scale so it's pretty clear that I'm obviously the back-up. I'm sure maybe he did get told that by someone. Maybe the person that told him that did get told that before they knew I was locked in... and they just haven't had that conversation."

Watch the video here: