‘There’s No Point If I Can’t Be The Best’

Beneil Dariush needs a win.

UFC Austin didn’t go according to plan for one of the Lightweight division’s longest-standing top contenders two weekends ago (Dec. 2, 2023). Dariush, 34, took on rising star, Arman Tsarukyan, who needed only 64 seconds to earn a big technical knockout win (watch highlights) over the veteran.

The fight was Dariush’s first since a tough defeat to Charles Oliveira in their title contender match up at UFC 289 in June 2023 (watch highlights). That fight was also a first round stoppage via strikes with Dariush on the receiving end, putting Dariush on only the second losing streak of his 29-fight career (22-6-1). Now, Dariush is feeling in need of some clarity.

“I just want to know if I still got it,” Dariush told Submission Radio. “That’s like my biggest thing. Because it’s one thing to go into the training room and perform really well, and it’s another thing to go into that Octagon and perform really well. And if I don’t have it, I need to know so that way I can find a way to put my energy into something else and move forward, because there’s no point if I can’t be the best.”

Having fought a good portion of the division’s contenders, Dariush still sees some solid viable options for his next possible fight. Dariush last saw his hand raised after a unanimous decision win over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280 in October 2022.

“I saw the [Drakkar] Klose thing. As far as the rematch, doesn’t really get me too excited. If the UFC calls me for it, sure,” Dariush said. “Someone mentioned Dan Hooker. He called me out a while ago. If that’s what the UFC calls, sure. Dan Hooker I think is a great fighter and he’s got a great history in the UFC. Maybe Paddy [Pimblett]? I don’t know if that’s an option. I really don’t know.

“I always want to fight guys ranked higher and ahead of me,” he continued. “But I’m not in that position right now. Obviously, Dustin Poirier is still not an option, but maybe he’ll change his mind since UFC 300 is coming up and I don’t think he has anyone available. Benoit Saint Denis? That’s another option. I’ve seen a couple of his fights and I actually think he’s really impressive.”