Beneil Dariush


Beneil Khobier Dariush is an Iranian-born Assyrian-American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of July 14, 2020, he is #14 in the UFC lightweight rankings.

Background

Dariush was born and raised on a small farm in Iran until the age of nine when he moved to the United States. Dariush played soccer in high school and then began wrestling his senior year.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Dariush began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2007, earning his black belt in just five years. He was a highly decorated competitor, becoming a no gi world champion as a blue, purple and brown belt. During the first three and a half years of his career, he went undefeated with six wins and no losses. He finished all but one of those wins.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In January 2014, Dariush made his UFC debut on January 15, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 35. He was scheduled to face Jason High. However, High was forced out of the bout with appendicitis and was replaced by returning veteran Charlie Brenneman. Dariush won the fight via submission in the first round.
Dariush returned three months later, losing to Ramsey Nijem by first-round TKO on April 11, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 39.
Dariush was expected to face Tony Martin on August 2, 2014 at UFC 174. After the event was cancelled, the bout was rescheduled for August 23 at UFC Fight Night 49. Dariush won via submission in the second round.
Dariush made his PPV debut at UFC 179 on October 25, 2014, defeating the undefeated Carlos Diego Ferreira by unanimous decision.
Dariush submitted Daron Cruickshank in the second round on March 14, 2015 at UFC 185, winning his first Performance of the Night bonus award. The bout took place at a catchweight of 157 lbs. as Cruickshank was unable to make the lightweight limit.
Dariush replaced an injured Paul Felder and decisioned Jim Miller on April 18, 2015 at UFC on Fox 15.
Dariush next faced Michael Johnson on August 8, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 73. Dariush won the fight via controversial split decision. Every mainstream MMA media outlet scored the fight as a decision victory for Johnson.
Dariush was expected to face Mairbek Taisumov on January 17, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 81. However, Dariush pulled out of the fight in early December citing injury and was replaced by Chris Wade.
Dariush faced Michael Chiesa on April 16, 2016 at UFC on Fox 19. Dariush lost the fight via submission in the second round.
Dariush next faced James Vick on June 4, 2016 at UFC 199, replacing an injured Evan Dunham. Dariush won the fight via KO in the first round.
Dariush faced Rashid Magomedov on November 5, 2016 at., He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Dariush faced Edson Barboza on March 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 106. He lost the fight via KO due to a flying knee in the second round.
Dariush fought Evan Dunham on October 7, 2017 at UFC 216. The fight ended in a majority draw, with one judge scoring the bout for Dariush.
Dariush was expected to face Bobby Green on March 3, 2018 at UFC 222. However, on February 14, 2018, it was announced that Green was forced to pull out from the event, citing injury. Green was replaced by Alexander Hernandez. Dariush lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
Dariush was expected to face Chris Gruetzemacher on November 10, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 139. However, on October 18, 2018, it was reported that Gruetzemacher withdrew from the event and he is replaced by newcomer Thiago Moisés. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Dariush faced Drew Dober on March 9, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 146. He won the fight via submission in the second round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Dariush was expected to face Drakkar Klose on July 13, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 155. However on July 7 Dariush pulled out of the fight with an injury. As a result, UFC officials opted to remove Klose from the card and he is expected to be scheduled for a future event instead.
Dariush faced Frank Camacho on October 26, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 20. He won the fight via submission in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Dariush next faced Drakkar Klose on March 7, 2020 at UFC 248, a rescheduling of the bout that was canceled in July of 2019. He won the fight via spectacular highlight-reel knockout in the second round. This win earned him his fourth Performance of the Night award.
Dariush is scheduled to face Scott Holtzman on August 8, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 176.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts