Beneil Dariush approves of Ilia Topuria getting a direct title shot at lightweight.
Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) vacated his UFC featherweight belt after admitting that the burden cut was too strenuous on him. “El Matador” is eyeing a title fight against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Despite only defending his title once with a knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308, Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6 UFC) doesn’t see anyone else within the lightweight title picture as more worthy for the time being.
“You may’t really disagree with it,” Dariush told MMA Junkie. “Because he became champion, he defended his belt, and he’s identical to, ‘Hey, I’m too big. I don’t intend to make this weight cut anymore, so I need to fight ’55.’ I wouldn’t be against him fighting for 155, especially for the reason that UFC said they’re not going to permit Arman (Tsarukyan) to have his fight for the title.
“So, if Arman’s not getting the title shot, Charles Oliveira – I understand he’s presupposed to be the No. 1 contender, but I’d say Ilia’s credentials are higher at this moment. He’s riding quite the win streak so, I definitely wouldn’t be like, ‘Oh, it is a mistake. They shouldn’t have this fight.’”
Dariush can see where Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) is coming from when he says he doesn’t wish to fight one other featherweight in Topuria, but says this time it’s a bit different.
“I believe the situation is that this, I don’t think Makhachev really desires to fight one other ’45’er,” Dariush continued. “He fought (Alexander) Volkanovski because he desired to be pound-for-pound champion because at the moment, Volkanovski was. He beat Volkanovski so he’s form of over that I’d say.
“He doesn’t really need to fight one other 145’er. But, the difference now could be Ilia is moving up and he’s an actual ’55’er. He’s not going back right down to 145. All it requires is for Makhachev to agree. If Makhachev agrees to fight him, I believe the fight happens
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