Beneil Dariush: How I respond to Charles Oliveira fight is everything

Beneil Dariush has finally drawn the top-ranked opponent he’s been longing for.

Fresh off his first-round knockout over Scott Holtzman earlier this month, Dariush (19-4-1 MMA, 13-4-1 UFC) will face fellow streaking lightweight Charles Oliveira on Oct. 3.

Dariush has been asking for a ranked lightweight for awhile, but has had a hard time getting his wish. He’s dispatched of one opponent after the other, putting on bonus-worthy performances that have led to a five-fight winning streak and a shot at one of the hottest fighters in the division.

“I love that fight (with Oliveira),” Dariush told MMA Junkie. “I think Charles is a great fighter. I think he’s so well-rounded, and what an opportunity. I’ve been wanting to fight someone in the top 10, and he’s No. 6, I believe, so this is incredible for me.”

Dariush knows what’s at stake with a win over Oliveira, who like Dariush, has been struggling to net a big fight. Oliveira (29-8 MMA, 17-8 UFC) has finished his last seven opponents in a row, most recently former UFC interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee.

“If I perform dominantly, I won’t be 6 – I’ll be No. 5,” Dariush said. “That puts me top five in the world, and I’m in the so-called elite of the lightweight division. I think one more fight from there, a guy like Tony Ferguson, a guy like Dustin Poirier, puts me at the title. So this could be a pivotal moment in my career and how I respond to it is everything.”