Beneil Dariush News

Beneil Dariush
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Beneil Dariush says he will match Tony Ferguson's craziness, eyes stoppage win: "It's going to be a spectacular 15 minutes or a finish"

Cole Shelton - May 11, 2021

Beneil Dariush didn’t expect Tony Ferguson to accept the fight. Every since Dariush scored a highlight-reel KO win over Drakkar Klose, he has been calling to face a top-ranked opponent. Unfortunately, that did not go his way as he ended up facing Scott Holtzman and then Diego Ferreira. After two more wins, Dariush gets his shot against Tony Ferguson at UFC 262.

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Edmen Shahbazyan

Just Scrap Radio Ep. 37 with Beneil Dariush, Edmen Shahbazyan, Edson Barboza, and Jack Hermansson

Cole Shelton - May 11, 2021

The 37th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 262 and UFC Vegas 27 next Saturday. We’re first joined by one-half of the UFC 262 co-main event in Beneil Dariush (2:48). Next, 10th-ranked middleweight, Edmen Shahbazyan joins the show (21:14). 13th-ranked UFC featherweight, Edson Barboza comes on (32:42). Closing out the program is seventh-ranked UFC middleweight, Jack Hermansson (48:42).

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UFC

Beneil Dariush ready to step up in case anything happens to Michael Chandler or Charles Oliveira at UFC 262

Adam D Martin - April 29, 2021

UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush says he is willing to step up to fight if anything happens to Charles Oliveira or Michael Chandler at UFC 262. Dariush steps back into the Octagon on May 15 at UFC 262 when he takes on Tony Ferguson in the biggest fight of his career to date. And while Dariush is absolutely not looking past Ferguson by any means, he is aware that he could step in and fight for the belt should anything happen to Oliveira or Chandler before their fight. If anything does happen to Oliveira or Chandler, Dariush is preparing to fight for five rounds or less.

Tony Ferguson, UFC 249
Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson labeled betting underdog for UFC 262 fight with Beneil Dariush

Adam D Martin - April 16, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson is currently a rare betting underdog for his fight against Beneil Dariush at UFC 262. Ferguson and Dariush meet on the UFC 262 main card on May 15 in Houston, Texas. It’s an awesome fight between the No. 5 ranked Ferguson and the No. 9 ranked Dariush, and the winner seems destined to take a big step towards fighting for the belt in a stacked division. Both Ferguson and Dariush are two of the most exciting fighters in the UFC lightweight division and it feels like fans everywhere can’t wait for these two to throw down on May 15.

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Tony Ferguson

Beneil Dariush excited to "out-crazy" Tony Ferguson at UFC 262

Adam D Martin - April 6, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush is excited for his upcoming matchup with Tony Ferguson, who he wants to “out-crazy” at UFC 262. Dariush is the No. 9 ranked lightweight in the world and, on the heels of a six-fight win streak that included some insane wars with the likes of Scott Holtzman and Drakkar Klose, the UFC matchmakers are giving him a serious step up in competition. Standing across Dariush at UFC 262 on May 15 in Houston, Texas will be Ferguson, the No. 5 ranked lightweight and former interim champion. Though Ferguson is coming off of two straight losses to Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira, he is still one of the most dangerous lightweights the sport has ever seen, and this fight with Dariush promises to be a war.

Beneil Dariush
UFC

Beneil Dariush reveals gutsy gameplan for potential Charles Oliveira fight

Tom Taylor - February 17, 2021

Beneil Dariush has revealed what he sees as his path to victory in a potential fight with fellow lightweight contender Charles Oliveira. Dariush, the UFC’s No. 9-ranked lightweight contender, is riding a big victory over Diego Ferreira, and is looking for another big step up in competition. He views Oliveira, the division’s No. 3 contender, as just that.

Beneil Dariush
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Beneil Dariush explains why he's the one to defeat Khabib Nurmagomedov

Adam Martin - February 12, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush explained why he’s the one to defeat Khabib Nurmagomedov, admitting “The Eagle” is his dream fight. Dariush has been in the UFC since 2014 but he has really come into his own over the last few years. He’s currently riding a six-fight win streak and most recently defeated top-10 ranked Diego Ferreira via split decision at UFC Vegas 18. Dariush was vocal after the fight about his desire to get matched up with a top-five opponent. For Dariush, it’s all about testing himself against the very best in the world. That’s why if he had his choice, he’d fight Nurmagomedov.

Beneil Dariush
Diego Ferreira

Beneil Dariush releases statement following "hard-fought fight" with Diego Ferreira at UFC Vegas 18

Adam Martin - February 8, 2021

UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush released a statement following his “hard-fought fight” with Diego Ferreira at last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 18. Dariush edged out a split decision in a back-and-forth war between two of the most underrated lightweights in the sport. Both Dariush and Ferreira entered the bout in the 10-15 range in the UFC lightweight rankings, but they both showed with this spirited affair that they belong closer to the top-five. In fact, Dariush went on a post-fight rant about why he and Ferreira should have already been matched up against top-ranked opponents, though he later apologized and took those comments back.

Beneil Dariush
Diego Ferreira

UFC Vegas 18 Result: Beneil Dariush defeats Diego Ferreira (Highlights)

Chris Taylor - February 6, 2021

A lightweight bout between perennial division contenders Beneil Dariush and Diego Ferreira kicks off tonight’s UFC Vegas 18 main card. Dariush (19-4-1 MMA) will enter tonight’s contest on a five-fight win streak, his latest being spectacular first round knockout victory over Scott Holtzman in August. The win marked the Kings MMA products fourth straight finish, as he had previously scored stoppage victories over Drew Dober, Frank Camacho and Drakkar Klose.

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MMA News

Video | Beneil Dariush brought to tears when receiving UFC comeback of 2020 award

Drake Riggs - February 4, 2021

Rising lightweight contender Beneil Dariush provided MMA fans with one of the craziest moments of 2020 in his win over Drakkar Klose at UFC 248. The second-round knockout finish came in an exciting enough fashion to earn the Kings MMA product the UFC’s comeback of the year honors.

Diego Ferreira
Diego Ferreira

Diego Ferreira preparing for a "brawl" against Beneil Dariush, eyes Felder or RDA next

Cole Shelton - February 2, 2021

Diego Ferreira is excited to rematch Beneil Dariush. At UFC 179 in October of 2014, Dariush edged out a decision against Ferreira in a fight the Brazilian took on short notice. Since then, however, both men have become top-15 lightweights and the Fortis MMA product believes the rematch just makes sense.

Beneil Dariush
Diego Ferreira

Beneil Dariush vs. Diego Ferreira rematch added to UFC Super Bowl card

Adam Martin - November 29, 2020

An intriguing rematch between top-15 lightweights Beneil Dariush and Diego Ferreira has been added to the UFC Super Bowl card. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto first reported the rematch between Ferreira and Dariush will take place on the UFC Fight Night card on February 6. The main event of the evening is expected to be a five-round headliner between heavyweight contenders Alistair Overeem and Alexander Volkov. Ferreira vs. Dariush will likely be on the main card.

Beneil Dariush
UFC

Beneil Dariush uses his UFC 248 performance bonus to fund an orphanage in Haiti

Cole Shelton - October 12, 2020

Beneil Dariush put his UFC 248 performance bonus to good use. At UFC 248, Dariush scored an insane KO over Drakkar Klose in what was a wild fight. The knockout got him another performance of the night bonus, which marked the third straight fight he has received a $50k bonus. So, the 31-year-old used the extra earnings to fund an orphanage in Haiti.

Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush
Charles Oliveira

Report | Charles Oliveira out of October 3 UFC Fight with Beneil Dariush

Natasha Hooper - September 8, 2020

Charles Oliveira will no longer fight Beneil Dariush at UFC Fight Night on October 3. The surging contender, Oliveira, has amassed a seven-fight win streak with notable wins over Jim Miller, Clay Guida and Kevin Lee. He was expected to fight Dariush on Yas Island next month, but his opponent confirmed that the grappling ace is now out of the race.

Charles Oliveira, UFC Brasilia
Charles Oliveira

Two massive UFC lightweight fights in the works for fall 2020

Chris Taylor - August 15, 2020

Two massive UFC lightweight fights are now slated for the fall of 2020, in addition to October’s title unification bout. At UFC 254 on October 24 reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will look to keep his perfect record intact when he squares off with interim title holder Justin Gaethje.

Beneil Dariush
Scott Holtzman

Beneil Dariush not mad about being ineligible for UFC bonus: “If anyone deserves it, it’s Scott”

Harry Kettle - August 10, 2020

UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush isn’t upset about not being eligible to receive a UFC bonus after his big win over Scott Holtzman last weekend. Dariush took his current win streak up to five with an insane spinning backfist knockout against Holtzman in Las Vegas. Usually, he would’ve been the frontrunner for a post-fight bonus, after receiving three straight Performance of the Night bonuses in his last few fights. However, after coming in two pounds overweight, he was not able to qualify for that reward this time around.

Beneil Dariush
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Beneil Dariush says he's "extremely disappointed" to be fighting unranked Scott Holtzman

Cole Shelton - August 4, 2020

Beneil Dariush was looking to be fighting a ranked opponent but unfortunately did not get his wish. Dariush, who is currently ranked 14th at lightweight, is riding a four-fight winning streak and coming off a spectacular KO win over Drakkar Klose at UFC 248. It was a phenomenal finish. Looking back at it, the timing of that fight couldn’t have been any more perfect.

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Beneil Dariush

Just Scrap Radio Ep. 5 with Alexey Oleynik, Beneil Dariush, Scott Holtzman & Yana Kunitskaya

Cole Shelton - August 4, 2020

The fifth episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 6. Host Cole Shelton is first joined 10th ranked heavyweight, Alexey Oleynik (1:38). Next, 14th ranked lightweight, Beneil Dariush comes on (14:22). Then, UFC lightweight, Scott Holtzman (31:03) joins the program. Finally, eighth-ranked bantamweight, Yana Kunitskaya (49:21) is the final guest of the episode.