Beneil Dariush
USA
Shines in return from long layoff
Dariush defeated Renato Moicano via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 317 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Now 36 years old, coming off back-to-back knockout defeats and having not fought since December 2023, Dariush deserves all the credit in the world for what was an excellent performance. Round 1 was the closest of the three, and even then, Beneil was doing very well until he got knocked down late. He recovered exceedingly well and proceeded to dominate an exhausted Moicano over the final two rounds. Dariush's five takedowns tied a career-high which was previously set against Diego Ferreira back in February 2021. As impressive as Beneil was tonight, between his age and inactivity of late, he needs to get back in the Octagon as soon as possible.
Now 36 years old, coming off back-to-back knockout defeats and having not fought since December 2023, Dariush deserves all the credit in the world for what was an excellent performance. Round 1 was the closest of the three, and even then, Beneil was doing very well until he got knocked down late. He recovered exceedingly well and proceeded to dominate an exhausted Moicano over the final two rounds. Dariush's five takedowns tied a career-high which was previously set against Diego Ferreira back in February 2021. As impressive as Beneil was tonight, between his age and inactivity of late, he needs to get back in the Octagon as soon as possible.
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Moicano bout scheduled again
Dariush will fight Renato Moicano at UFC 317 on June 28 in a lightweight bout, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Dariush was expected to face Moicano at UFC 311 in January, but the Brazilian filled in for Arman Tsarukyan in the main card of that event against Islam Makhachev. This fight was bound to be rescheduled, and now fans will get their wish granted for UFC 317. Dariush has lost his last two fights and will aim to bounce back against an opponent who was dominated easily in his most recent trip to the octagon.
Dariush was expected to face Moicano at UFC 311 in January, but the Brazilian filled in for Arman Tsarukyan in the main card of that event against Islam Makhachev. This fight was bound to be rescheduled, and now fans will get their wish granted for UFC 317. Dariush has lost his last two fights and will aim to bounce back against an opponent who was dominated easily in his most recent trip to the octagon.
No replacement for UFC 311
Dariush will not fight at UFC 311 as a replacement opponent for this Saturday cannot be found, Mike Bohn of USA TODAY reports.
ANALYSIS
Dariush has unfortunately been stranded without a spot on the UFC 311 card with his scheduled opponent, Renato Moicano, filling in for Arman Tsarukyan against Islam Makhachev on the main card of the event. Dariush will likely look to rebook and get back in the ring soon.
Dariush has unfortunately been stranded without a spot on the UFC 311 card with his scheduled opponent, Renato Moicano, filling in for Arman Tsarukyan against Islam Makhachev on the main card of the event. Dariush will likely look to rebook and get back in the ring soon.
Left without an opponent
Dariush will no longer fight Renato Moicano at UFC 311 this Saturday, per UFC President Dana White.
ANALYSIS
Dariush's scheduled opponent, Renato Moicano, will be filling in for Arman Tsarukyan (back), and fighting Islam Makhachev with the UFC Lightweight Title on the line. The 35-year-old American, who has lost his last two fights, will look to pick up a last-minute opponent for UFC 311.
Dariush's scheduled opponent, Renato Moicano, will be filling in for Arman Tsarukyan (back), and fighting Islam Makhachev with the UFC Lightweight Title on the line. The 35-year-old American, who has lost his last two fights, will look to pick up a last-minute opponent for UFC 311.
Moicano up next
Dariush will fight Renato Moicano at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Dariush has lost back-to-back fights at the hands of Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, and January's fight will mark his first time back in the ring in 13 months. His opponent, on the other hand, is fresh off a win over Benoit Saint-Denis and hasn't lost a bout since March 2022.
Dariush has lost back-to-back fights at the hands of Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, and January's fight will mark his first time back in the ring in 13 months. His opponent, on the other hand, is fresh off a win over Benoit Saint-Denis and hasn't lost a bout since March 2022.
Lasts 64 seconds in main event
Dariush lost to Arman Tsarukyan via KO (punches) at 1:04 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Austin, Texas.
ANALYSIS
Dariush has been one of the most underappreciated fighters in the sport for the better part of a decade. That said, one can't help but think it's all fallen apart for him in less than six months. Seemingly on the verge of a title shot with a win, Beneil was knocked out by Charles Oliveira in just over four minutes this past June. Then came tonight. Dariush managed to avoid most of a Tsarukyan knee about a minute in, but the sweeping right hook that followed knocked the former into another galaxy. It was academic from there. Arman is 27 years old and looks like a legitimate future champion in arguably the company's deepest division, so it's hard to get on Dariush for the loss, but the setback essentially removes from from the title picture moving forward. The 34-year-old seems likely to go down as one of the best fighters in UFC history to never fight for a championship.
Dariush has been one of the most underappreciated fighters in the sport for the better part of a decade. That said, one can't help but think it's all fallen apart for him in less than six months. Seemingly on the verge of a title shot with a win, Beneil was knocked out by Charles Oliveira in just over four minutes this past June. Then came tonight. Dariush managed to avoid most of a Tsarukyan knee about a minute in, but the sweeping right hook that followed knocked the former into another galaxy. It was academic from there. Arman is 27 years old and looks like a legitimate future champion in arguably the company's deepest division, so it's hard to get on Dariush for the loss, but the setback essentially removes from from the title picture moving forward. The 34-year-old seems likely to go down as one of the best fighters in UFC history to never fight for a championship.