Afrigather Beneil Dariush could be probably the most level-headed contender on the complete UFC roster, however even he has his breaking level.
Regardless of an eight-fight win streak within the light-weight division, Dariush was informed below no unsure phrases that he wasn’t going to get a title shot by simply sitting and ready. That information got here on the heels of ex-lightweight champion Charles Oliveira struggling an damage, which delayed the battle with Dariush from UFC 288 in Could to UFC 289 in July.
Dariush has been right here earlier than, in fact, so it was necessary for him to achieve assurances from the UFC about his future earlier than agreeing to the brand new battle date with Oliveira. That’s additionally why Dariush is assured {that a} win on June 10 will lastly give him the chance to vie for UFC gold — and if it doesn’t, he may lastly lose his persistence.
“UFC isn’t the kind to typically give their phrase,” Dariush defined when talking to MMA Combating. “Earlier than I fought Mateusz [Gamrot], I had a sense they weren’t going to present me the title shot, so I mentioned, ‘Hey, if I beat this man, I get a title shot proper?’ They mentioned, ‘We don’t know,’ mainly.
“This time once I was speaking to them, they mentioned if I beat Charles Oliveira, I’m the No. 1 contender. It’s not typically they provide me their phrase. This time they did.”
When Dariush sat down with the UFC for that dialog previous to agreeing to the brand new in opposition to Oliveira, he was knowledgeable that Dustin Poirier was at the moment the highest contender within the light-weight division.
After all, Dariush wouldn’t refute claims that Poirier is among the greatest fighters on the earth, however that also didn’t clarify why the Louisiana native was supposedly forward of him when it got here to a possible title shot.
“To be trustworthy with you, I assumed I used to be the No. 1 contender already, however they didn’t assume so,” Dariush mentioned. “That’s mainly what it was. My complete factor was, Dustin’s had two title photographs, I imagine, and he was a former interim champ. He’s had his alternatives on the belt and he’s at the moment on a one-fight win streak in opposition to Michael Chandler. He had an excellent battle with Michael Chandler, however he’s had his alternatives.
“At this level, I actually imagine the leisure half is a a lot greater issue than rankings. The rankings could be moved primarily based in your leisure worth. That half sucks, however I additionally perceive it’s a enterprise, and to ensure that a enterprise to proceed, it must be worthwhile. That’s what the UFC is doing.”
Poirier’s title getting talked about could have simply been one of the best ways to coax Dariush into accepting the brand new date with Oliveira, however then, only in the near past, the stakes of Poirier’s subsequent matchup modified once more.
On July 29, Poirier battles Justin Gaethje in the principle occasion of UFC 291, with the winner being topped the second-ever “BMF” champion. Even Dariush has nothing however glowing reward for that little bit of matchmaking from the UFC, though he can’t assist however ponder whether maybe Poirier or Gaethje might usurp him within the hierarchy of title competition.
“The battle itself, I really like the battle. What a battle,” Dariush mentioned. “These guys, they’ve such an excellent fashion, each of them, and the best way it clashes, I believe it’s going to be fireworks identical to the final battle. The battle, I really like.
“The implications of that battle, these could be slightly bit extra troublesome for me, however general I really like the battle.”
As a lot as it would ratchet up any potential scrutiny surrounding Dariush’s efficiency in his subsequent battle in opposition to Oliveira, he’s staying calm within the face of chaos.
He believes the UFC will comply with by way of with the promise of a title shot after yet one more win. But when that doesn’t occur, the 34-year-old veteran may lastly have cause to rage.
“I’m going to take them at their phrase,” Dariush mentioned of the UFC. “If it’s not so, I’m going to take Justin Gaethje’s recommendation and presumably riot.”
