Beneil Dariush has some doubts about his reported May showdown with former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.
Riding an eight-fight win streak, many believe Beniel Dariush is the clear next man in line for a 155-pound title opportunity, but an interview between KO Imenero’s Alvaro Colmenero and Oliveira’s coach Diego Lima seemed to confirm the pair would square off as a potential title eliminator at UFC 288 on May 6. However, Dariush has doubts that the fight will move forward. In an interview with MMA on SiriusXM, ‘Benny’ revealed that he is staying ready, but remains skeptical based on past experiences.
“I’m not saying that I doubt the fight will happen, but you never know. It’s so far out. I just try to stay ready. You never know what’s going to happen.
“Charles and I, I had a contract with him before and I had signed the contract and thought the fight was going to happen and it didn’t. He went on to fight Tony Ferguson and from there he went on to become champion. So there’s that. That plays in the back of my head. I just try to stay ready. It’s 12 weeks. 12 weeks is a long time.”
“I thought the UFC would give me a title shot at this point.” @beneildariush discusses the uncertainty of his fight with Charles Oliveira as well as his thoughts on past missed title opportunities. 👀 pic.twitter.com/tu0FWzUfo5
— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) February 14, 2023
Beneil Dariush Believes He Should Have Received a UFC Title Opportunity by Now
Dariush also addressed the glaring fact that he’s 16-4-1 overall inside the Octagon and has not suffered defeat in five years, yet is still without a UFC title opportunity.
“As far as moving up in the world, I thought at this point I would get a title shot. I thought the UFC would give me a title shot at this point. Maybe they’re just hoping I get so old, I get so gray I’ll just walk away or something. It ain’t gonna be that easy. Don’t get me wrong, I feel good. I got the gray hair and I got some back pain, but once I’m warmed up, I’m the best in the world.”
Dariush’s last appearance inside the Octagon came in October when he dominated top-10 lightweight Mateusz Gamrot on his way to a unanimous decision victory. It would be his eighth-straight win with other notable victories coming against Drew Dober, Drakkar Klose, Diego Ferreira, and Tony Ferguson.
