What does the future of the UFC lightweight division hold? This is how Beneil Dariush breaks it down
Beneil Dariush is one of the many contenders in the stacked UFC lightweight division. Champion Islam Makhachev successfully defended his title against featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284, but has no shortage of challengers in his own division.
Dariush is ranked No.4 in the lightweight rankings and believes he is one fight away from the title shot. In an interview with MMA Junkie, Dariush broke down his predictions for the division.
He predicted that the champion will take an extended break after his difficult scrap with Volkanovski. He then expects the next title shot to come down to either him or Rafael Fiziev:
“I think Makhachev takes some time off, this was the first time he really was in a fight. I think he takes some time off and he fights end of the year. He doesn’t fight that early. That being said, I jump in, I beat Charles [Oliveira]. I don’t know if Fiziev can beat Justin [Gaethje], but if Fiziev beats Justin and then it’s the two of us basically. It’s between the two of us who gets the title shot. And then with that, you never know, but I will be number one, on paper I am number one contender. So it will be hard to deny."
Beneil Dariush also addressed the return of Conor McGregor to face Michael Chandler and how his chances stack up:
"And then finally, you have Conor and Chandler in the mix. Obviously if Chandler wins, I don’t think he’s going to get the title shot. But if Conor wins, it’s a possibility that they give him the title shot. Obviously that fight will also be at the end of the year so it might not work out in favor of him, I might get the title shot before.”
Check out the full interview below:
Beneil Dariush reveals that a fight against Charles Oliveira is in the works
Beneil Dariush could potentially face former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira next.
The matchup could determine the No.1 contender, with that spot currently being occupied by former champ 'Do Bronx' in the rankings.
Dariush detailed the inner workings of the fight in an interview with Submission Radio:
“They already set me up with Charles [Oliveira]. They’re talking about contracts. We’re just trying to work out the contract right now and then go forward from there… You put a tough guy like Charles Oliveira in front of me, I’m stocked. I’m not complaining too much. I look forward to fighting him, I look forward to beating him up, and I look forward to what’s next after that.”
Dariush is on an eight-fight win streak. Adding another victory to that will no doubt make it difficult for the UFC matchmakers to ignore when deciding on the next title challenger.
Check out Beneil Dariush's comments below: