Dana White announced Islam Makhachev versus Dustin Poirier as the main event for UFC 302 at Newark for the undisputed lightweight championship. The announcement came at the post-fight press conference of UFC 300 where White also announced Michael Chandler versus Conor McGregor as the main event for UFC 303. Beneil Dariush was interviewed by Submission Radio recently in which the 5th-ranked lightweight previewed the state of the lightweight division.
Even though he has not fought either Makhachev or Poirier, the Iranian American is a veteran of the sport and an elite lightweight. Dariush does not think Poirier will have an easy matchup against Makhachev after his impressive knockout of Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299.
“I think he’s going to be the big underdog. I think maybe like a 7-to-1 underdog kind of deal, like that bad,” said Dariush about the fight who also stated that Poirier does have the KO power to win against the champion.
Despite securing a KO victory over Saint-Denis after an epic war, his previous fight was against Justin Gaethje at UFC 291, which he lost by head kick knockout. With all potential lightweight challengers having fought at UFC 300, Poirier received the nod as the only available fighter to compete at UFC 302
Nevertheless, the winner of Poirier versus Makhachev will be fighting Arman Tsarukyan in late 2024. Tsarukyan, coming off a knockout of Beneil Dariush at UFC Austin, edged out a split decision against Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira in a number one contender fight at UFC 300.
Who really won Charles Oliveira versus Arman Tsarukyan?
Charles Oliveria and Arman Tsarukyan fought in the second fight of the main card of UFC 300 after Bo Nickal opened the card against Cody Brundage. In the fight between two lightweights who have a history with Islam Makhachev, it was Tsarukyan who emerged victorious.
The fight was tied 1-1 going into the final round, which could have been judged either way. Tsarukyan had control throughout the fight, but Oliveira sank in a D’arce choke with seconds remaining, though time ran out. Beneil Dariush provided his take on the fight in an interview with Submission Radio, stating that he believed Tsarukyan won the fight.
Nevertheless, he did admit that it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see Oliveira win, considering the subjective nature of the rules and Oliveira’s close attempts to finish the fight. In the first round, the Brazilian had already caught the Armenian in a guillotine choke, but Tsarukyan managed to escape, much to the surprise of everyone watching, including Oliveira.
Interestingly, both fighters were coming off first-round finishes against a common opponent, Beneil Dariush. The consecutive losses have aged well for Dariush, who hopes to return in late summer, with potential opponents being Renato Moicano and Dan Hooker.
Do you think Beneil Dariush will fight for the title after the recent losing streak? Leave your thoughts about it below!
