"Beneil Dariush deserves the lightweight title next, not Alexander Volkanovski" - Fighters rally behind 'Benny' after clinical victory over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280

On a night when the lightweight belt is up for grabs, Beneil Dariush made a statement at UFC 280 against ninth-ranked lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot.

Sixth in the lightweight division, Dariush reinforced why he was part of the contention conversation.

The main card fight seemed to be a supreme matchup as the two fighters opened strongly. However, Dariush asserted himself in the second and third rounds, landing more significant strikes and scoring one emphatic knockdown too. He also defended 15 of the 19 attempted takedowns from Gamrot.

In the end, it was a convincing unanimous decision victory which improved Dariush's chances of a title shot multi-fold. Fellow UFC colleagues and the mixed martial arts fraternity certainly think so.

Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo tweeted out that Beneil Dariush is more deserving of a title shot than the backup fighter for the lightweight championship fight, Alexander Volkanovski.

".@beneildariush deserves the next title shot, not Volkanovski #UFC280"

.@beneildariush deserves the next title shot, not Volkanovski #UFC280

Many other UFC fighters called for him to get the title shot next. Kelvin Gastelum tweeted:

"Beneil Dariush for the lightweight Title NEXT!!!! #UFC280"

Beneil Dariush for the lightweight Title NEXT!!!! #UFC280

"Give @beneildariush his respect! He deserves the next chance at the belt."

Give @beneildariush his respect! He deserves the next chance at the belt.

"So happy for you brother @beneildariush! Next in line @AliAbdelaziz00"

So happy for you brother @beneildariush ! Next in line 🏆 @AliAbdelaziz00

"Let's go BENNY! 4 FOR 4! Who wants it! #UFC280"

Let's go BENNY! 4 FOR 4! Who wants it!
#UFC280

Beniel is a beast

Other fighters applauded Mateusz Gamrot for his valiant efforts and acknowledged Dariush warranting a title shot:

"What a fight @beneildariush and @gamer_mma you will be back stronger Gamer. You are made to do great things"

What a fight @beneildariush and @gamer_mma 👏👏👏 You will be back stronger Gamer. You are made to do great things 👊.

"Beautiful fight! @beneildariush got it"

Beautiful fight!
@beneildariush got it

The takedown defense of @beneildariush is the most surprising aspect of the night. Sheesh.

Don't ever disrespect and count Beneil Dariush out!!

#UFC280

Beneil Dariush advocates patience in his title pursuit

Beneil Dariush's victory has certain championship implications as the No.4-ranked contender Islam Makhachev locks horns with former champion Charles Oliveira in the main event later tonight.

Dariush could potentially face the winner of the main event in their subsequent title defense. When questioned by Daniel Cormer about his perspective on a title shot for himself, he responded with surprising patience for someone on the third-best winning streak in the division, only behind the two challengers.

Dariush said:

"That's a great question. But the thing is I don't have the answer for this. But I will tell you one thing, I'm not a beggar. I've done everything that I needed to do. You said, 'Fight in here!', whoever you put in front of me, I fought whoever. Here's what I will tell you, my crown will come from my lord and savior. I don't care if I have to win another 10 fights before I get this belt. I'll do it."

Watch his full post-fight interview in the octagon on YouTube: