Picture this: You're a UFC fighter on fire, racking up win after win in a packed division, yet the big title fight just never materializes. It's a heartbreaking tale that's all too common in mixed martial arts, and it's hitting close to home for top lightweight contender Beneil Dariush, who admits he never expected a shot at glory despite his jaw-dropping eight-fight winning streak. But here's where it gets controversial – is the UFC playing favorites, or is there more to the story? Stick around, because this dive into the world of UFC matchmaking might just blow your mind.
Title opportunities have been notoriously scarce in the UFC's lightweight division, a category filled with elite talent where even the most consistent performers struggle to climb to the top. For newcomers to UFC, think of it like a crowded job market where everyone has top-tier skills, but only a handful get the coveted promotions. Over the years, we've witnessed multiple contenders with impressive winning streaks, such as Tony Ferguson and Arman Tsarukyan, who never quite got their hands on the undisputed championship belt. Of course, both Ferguson and Tsarukyan were lined up for title clashes at various points, only to pull out because of injuries – a reminder of how fragile even the best-laid plans can be in this physically demanding sport.
Then there's Beneil Dariush, the former number three lightweight in the UFC rankings. Despite a string of victories in this highly competitive bracket, including a thrilling near-knockout of ex-interim champion Tony Ferguson and a hard-fought decision win against UFC Rio main eventer Mateusz Gamrot, Dariush was never presented with a title fight opportunity. To put this in perspective for beginners, these are victories against fighters who are often considered among the division's elite, showcasing Dariush's skill, endurance, and ability to perform under pressure – yet somehow, the brass at UFC overlooked him.
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Beneil Dariush reveals he 'never felt' the UFC was poised to offer him a title shot
At one stage, Dariush held the second-longest active winning streak in the lightweight division, trailing only former champion Islam Makhachev. From 2019 through 2022, he remained undefeated, building momentum that many thought would lead to big things. However, in 2023, the lightweight title fights went instead to featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski, who stepped in not once but twice – including a last-minute replacement for Charles Oliveira in a rematch against Makhachev at UFC 294. This left Dariush and others wondering about the UFC's decision-making process. Before his eight-fight streak ended with a loss to Oliveira earlier that year, Dariush openly expressed his doubts to Helen Yee during an interview.
"It's such a peculiar division, and it's been even more bizarre for me personally," Dariush shared, reflecting on the unpredictability of UFC matchmaking. "You can never really predict what will unfold next." He went on, "There was a period when I had an eight-fight winning streak, but I never, ever sensed that a title opportunity was on the horizon for me. And indeed, it didn't materialize – it felt like they had no intention of granting me one."
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"So, with just one more bout under my belt, I'm uncertain about my standing," Dariush added. "Yet my aim remains to dominate completely. I must position myself in a way that leaves them with no alternative but to consider me for the title fight. That's precisely my plan – I'll force their hand by giving them no other option." This determination was voiced ahead of his upcoming clash with Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 322. Now 36 years old, Dariush has secured victories in nine of his last eleven matches and sits at the number nine spot in the UFC lightweight rankings after a unanimous decision triumph over previous title challenger Renato Moicano at UFC 317.
There's a whole group of fighters like Beneil Dariush who've reached the upper echelons without ever tasting gold
Not every competitor who breaks into the top five of their division ends up battling for a world title. Dariush fits into this frustrating category, much like the now-retired Jimmie Rivera, who once claimed the number three ranking globally back in 2017 with an outstanding 21-1 record. Rivera, a former UFC bantamweight hopeful, never got to challenge for the belt, faltering in a title eliminator match against Marlon Moraes via a first-round TKO – a defeat that allowed Moraes to advance and face Henry Cejudo for the vacant title in 2019. It's a classic example of how one tough loss can derail a promising career trajectory.
Another contender eyeing retirement is Cub Swanson, a high-level fighter who never secured a crack at the championship despite his pedigree. Swanson was on the brink of a title chance in 2017, boasting a four-fight winning streak, but it was shattered by the then-unbeaten Brian Ortega. And this is the part most people miss – these stories highlight a potential systemic issue in UFC promotions, where momentum can shift lightning-fast, leaving dedicated athletes like Dariush, Rivera, and Swanson wondering if they'll ever get their due.
But here's where it gets controversial: Are UFC officials unfairly stacking the deck for certain fighters, or is it simply a matter of timing, injuries, and marketability? Some fans argue that political maneuvering plays a role, while others point to the sheer depth of talent in divisions like lightweight as the real culprit. What do you think – should fighters like Dariush be fast-tracked to title fights based on their streaks alone, or does the UFC have valid reasons for their choices? Is there a bias against certain contenders, or is this just the nature of a cutthroat sport? Share your opinions in the comments below – do you agree with Dariush's determination, or do you see it differently? Let's discuss!
