A lightweight competition loves his chances against Islam Makhachev – even without a training camp for the UFC champion.
Beneil Dariush has been in the UFC light weight ranks for almost a decade and the 23-Fight veteran has never had the chance to fight for the world title.
Dariush has been short of the title shot a few times and has lost his last two fights against top candidates Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. Despite constant victories earlier in his career, Dariush was passed on by featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in the lightweight title photo in 2023.
But still, the 36-year-old Dariush is confident in his capacities in his matchup with Renato Moicano on UFC 317.
Moicano and Dariush should fight on UFC 311 earlier this year; After an injury to the Headliner Tsarukyan, Dariush's opponent Moicano, however, replaced him and Makhachev fought one day. Dariush did not fought but was compensated.
Moicano would lose through the first round entry, so that his UFC 317 opponent Dariush had to think he could do so much better.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
Benuil Dariush Fighting about Islam Makhachev: 'I would have won'
Months away from the lightweight title fight of Makhachev at UFC 311, Dariush was asked what would have happened if he had entered the champion that night.
“I would have won,” Dariush told MMA Junkie.
“It would certainly have been a finish.
“It didn't go five rounds. The way Makhachev and I fight, it's not five rounds.
“Neither of us has ever lost a decision. He does not lose any decisions. I don't lose any decisions.
“I don't think I would lose that fight. I was pretty sure that I would win that fight.”
Dariush is one of the most rounded light weights on the planet, but for example Makhachev, who has left the division for a goodweight option against Jack della Maddalena. Makhachev is 16-1 in the UFC with his only loss of Ko to Adriano Martins 10 years ago.
Beneil Dariush's Win Streak against demonstrably the best division
Prior to his two TKO losses to Oliveira and Tsarukyan, Dariush had one of the longest profit stripes in a lightweight history in 8 consecutive victories.
Dariush defeated names such as Top Contender Mateusz Gamrot and former interim champion Tony Ferguson as well as Diego Ferreira and Drew Dober.
Now Dariush looks back in the win column against Renato Moicano, fresh from his first title fight.
With Makhachev to Welterweight, the lightweight division has become a completely new ball game, with Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira who fight for the vacant title, the same night Dariush fights.
Dariush is ranked #9 in the world and the time will learn whether he will be added to the top of the division where he once stood the #3 candidate.