In the Clinch: Dariush Looks to Rebound vs. Tsarukyan, UFC Austin – UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush is at yet another pivotal crossroad in his career.
Dariush (22-5-1), 34, was close to securing his first title shot in June but lost a title eliminator to Charles Oliveira at UFC 289. As we all know, Oliveira is injured. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski took his place to unsuccessfully challenge Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 in October.
On Saturday, Dariush will defend his No. 4 ranking and a spot in the title shot conversation against the No. 8 Arman Tsarukyan (20-3-0), 27, a fighter who is likely unsympathetic to Dariush’s plight.
Tsarukyan has his own story, and it is a compelling one. Born in Georgia and currently representing Russia, he was thrown into the fire in his octagon debut against Makhachev in 2019. Since then, he is 7-2-0 in nine total contests in the UFC. He comes armed with the experience and grappling that is sure to test Dariush.
Training with American Top Team, Tsarukyan is on the radar of most pundits and fighters in the division. He has the tools and the hunger to take him to the top.
And so, we should see a battle in every sense of the word between these two.
Dan Hooker, ranked No. 9 in the division, broke his arm and had to pull out of this event. No. 12 Jalin Turner will take his place against No. 13 Bobby Green. That means the bottom end of the division will be active on Saturday.
It’s all part of four lightweight contests on the card.
Dariush is approaching his 10th year in the UFC (January 2024). At 34 years old, he knows the clock is ticking, and he needs a win badly. Anything else and he will have to depend on the misfortune of others like Hooker. That’s a bad place to be in the lightweight division.
Expect Dariush and Tsarukyan to be locked in Saturday in Austin.
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Beneil Dariush
Arman Tsarukyan
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