Beneil Dariush contemplates combating future after UFC Austin: ‘Do I am going ahead, or am I executed form of deal?’

UFC light-weight standout Beneil Dariush finds himself in a quandary after back-to-back losses.

Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC) suffered a first-round knockout to Arman Tsarukyan within the UFC on ESPN 52 headliner lower than two weeks in the past for his second consecutive stoppage loss. Previous to the skid, Dariush was on the cusp of a title shot after amassing an eight-fight successful streak.

Though his losses have come to top-tier competitors in Tsarukyan and former champion Charles Oliveira, Dariush is within the midst of a psychological battle as he tried to determine what’s subsequent and if he can nonetheless compete with one of the best.

“I’ve acquired to be trustworthy with you guys: Final time I used to be right here, it was perhaps 2017 or 2018, I used to be in back-to-back losses,” Dariush informed Submission Radio. “And my objective on this sport is to be one of the best that I could be. And I simply keep in mind spending loads of time in prayer and making an attempt to determine if I used to be executed again then. And I’m form of in the identical spot proper now. I’m simply making an attempt to determine like, do I am going ahead or am I executed form of deal? As a result of I’m not making an attempt to be like a 50-50 fighter or perhaps a top-10 fighter. I’m making an attempt to be No. 1 on the earth. I wish to be one of the best, and I’m not going to accept something lower than that.

“So, yeah, I suppose simply that’s how I take care of it. I am going again to prayer and see what the Lord form of exhibits me. Final time, I had loads of points bodily with my neck and simply, I stated I might clear up these points after which return into the octagon and see how that goes. And I did that. I had an enormous change in my efficiency. I went from being 0-3 to love 8-0. And so, the neck made an enormous distinction. However this time I don’t have any well being points. My neck is fairly good total. I don’t have any points with it. So, it’s a unique spot I’m in than I used to be again then.”

Dariush tossed names like Dan Hooker and Benoit Saint-Denis as potential subsequent opponents, which he considers to be matchups that excite him.

“I simply wish to know if I nonetheless acquired it,” Dariush stated. “That’s like my largest factor. As a result of it’s one factor to enter the coaching room and carry out rather well, and it’s one other factor to enter that octagon and carry out rather well. And if I don’t have it, I must know in order that manner I can discover a option to put my power into one thing else and transfer ahead, as a result of there’s no level if I can’t be one of the best.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ESPN 52.