Beneil Dariush believes he should be the next person fighting for the UFC lightweight title.
Dariush is fresh off the biggest win of his career as he dominated Tony Ferguson for three rounds at UFC 262 to win a clear-cut decision. After the win, he said he needed some time off as he’s about to be a father. However, when he returns, he believes he should be Charles Oliveira’s first lightweight title defense.
I think Charles actually owes me a fight,” Dariush told MMA Fighting. “I stepped up to fight him on short notice, right after I had fought Scott [Holtzman] when I was supposed to go on vacation. Sean [Shelby] called me a day after my fight and said ‘hey, do you want to fight Charles in five weeks?’ I think, and I said yeah, let’s do it.
“I think Charles owes me a fight, too, if you think about it. He said he had family issues. He pulled out of my fight,” Dariush continued. “He called out Tony [Ferguson] while he avoided me, got the fight he wanted and then fought for the belt. I’m not knocking him. He did his thing. He got his title shot. He got the title. Now, just own up to the person you were supposed to fight.”
Of course, Dariush and Oliveira were booked to fight one another in Abu Dhabi at UFC Fight Island 4 on October 3. However, the Brazilian was forced out of the matchup but returned two months later to fight Ferguson.
Although Dariush believes he should be next in line, it’s unlikely he will get the shot. The winner of the UFC 264 main event between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor in their trilogy fight is likely next. Dariush, will likely have to get another win against a top-five opponent but who that will be is uncertain.
If Dariush ends up working his way to a title shot, he says his style is the worst possible matchup for Oliveira.
“Stylistically, I think I am the worst matchup for him in the top-five,” Dariush said. “I have the grappling to beat his. I have the striking to beat his. I think I’m more physical than him. That’s it. I think I have the ability to take him out in all that he does.”
Do you think Beneil Dariush should get the next lightweight title shot?
