Benir Dariush: Tsarukyan has a 'good shot' against Makhachev

LAS VEGAS – Beneel Dariush believes Arman Tsarukyan has what it takes to pose a threat to Islam Makhachev’s title reign.

Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is expected to challenge lightweight titleholder Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) later this year in a rematch of their April 2019 bout at UFC Fight Night 149, where Makhachev won a hard-fought unanimous decision.

Both fighters were young talent at the time at UFC, but have since improved significantly and will likely compete at the top of their game again. Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC) was one of Tsarukyan's most recent opponents, losing by 64-second knockout in the main event of UFC on ESPN 52 in December.

Makhachev is currently the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the latest USA Today Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, but Dariush doesn't think Tsarukyan is too far behind.

“I thought he looked really good (against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300),” Dariush told MMA Junkie and other reporters during an interview on the 2024 UFC Hall of Fame red carpet. “I thought he looked really good against Charles. Charles is a really tough fight for most people, but he came through. I think he'll do really well against Islam.”

Dariush believes Tsarukyan has a good chance of winning the belt, but said he can't be completely sure he'll face Makhachev and the outcome will likely depend on several key variables.

“I think it's in Islam's favor, maybe 60-45 or 55-45,” Dariush said. “It's going to be a close fight. I think Makhachev is better at conserving energy.”