UFC contender Beneil Dariush believes the promotion are trying to prevent him from challenging new champion Islam Makhachev.
Makhachev became UFC champion at the first time of asking last weekend when he submitted former title-holder Charles Oliveira in the second round to win the vacant belt. The Russian star will now likely face a whole host of upcoming challenges to his crown including from Dariush who picked up a decision win over Mateusz Gamrot on the same bill.
However it is expected that the new champion's first defence will take place against 145lb champion Alexander Volkanovski in Australia in February. Dariush looks set to miss out on becoming the next challenger and has suggested the UFC do not believe he provides the same level of pay-per-view draw as Volkanovski.
“One hundred per cent I think that,” Dariush said when asked about a potential title shot following his UFC 280 victory. “They obviously didn’t want to match me up with a top five, and I didn’t think a top five was interested either because no one said my name. He (Gamrot) had an amazing fight with Arman. He got his name out there so I think they were definitely trying to bring him into the top five and get me out of the top five. I think that was definitely the goal there.
“I think they want to keep me as far away from the title shot as possible. I don’t know, I don’t bring the crowd that they want I guess, or I don’t bring enough eyes, or whatever it is, or I’m not active enough in terms of engagement. I’m not sure what they’re looking for, but I guess I’m not their guy, which is fine. I totally understand. I have a different vision than what they do.”
Dariush is currently on an eight-fight win streak which has includes the scalps of Tony Ferguson and now Gamrot. He is currently No.4 in the official rankings with Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira in front of him, all of whom have challenged for the title.
Who would you rather see Islam Makhachev face first - Alexander Volkanovski or Beneil Dariush? Let us know in the comments section below
A fight between Makhachev and Volkanovski would arguably be the biggest on offer, with the featherweight champion currently also the reigning pound-for-pound king in the sport. But Dariush believes Volkanovski will be too small to pose a significant challenge.
"I mean, obviously, I don't want to discredit him [Volkanovski] but he might be too small for 155lb," he said. "I'm sure people said that to him at 145lbs too. We have a big weight advantage on him too. Nobody really tries to grapple with him at '45. I haven't seen anyone really try to take him down. I think it's so different and I think he would have some problems with that."
