Beneil Dariush clarifies post-fight criticism

Most people don’t feel normal immediately post-fight, and that’s often reflected in post-fight interviews. Take Britain Hart after she defeated PVZ at BKFC Knucklemania on Friday, for example.

“I’m not a person though, I’m not,” she explained. “I’m a f***ing feeling, and ALL of you guys are going to feel it.”

Wrap it up. Here's the post fight promo of the year.
pic.twitter.com/MygunihcQ4

— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) February 6, 2021

The combination of elation, adrenaline, and shots to the head is often not the ideal cocktail to prepare for what is, if approached correctly, a next fight job interview. In his socially-distanced interview immediately after his Fight of The Night-winning Split Decision victory over Diego Ferreira, Beneil Dariush was critical of the UFC matchmaking process that saw his five-fight win streak and #13 LW ranking pitted against Ferreira’s six-fight streak and #10 ranking.

I’ve got to say something, this is really bothering me, said Dariush to Daniel Cormier, as transcribed by Damon Martin for MMA Fighting. Diego should have fought a top-five guy. I should have fought a top-five guy. We have tough win streaks. We fought everybody. We never say no to anybody. But instead of giving us a top-five guy, Diego I still think he deserves a top 10 guy. I’d feel a little disrespected if I was Diego. I know I feel a little disrespected.

At the post-fight press conference, Dariush clarified that his criticism was not directed at Sean Shelby, matchmaker for the lightweight division, but instead at higher-ranked fighters in the division who won’t fight him.

I didn’t elaborate properly, said Dariush, as transcribed by Danny Segura and Ken Hathaway for MMA Junkie. My issue is with these guys looking at me as high risk, low reward. These top-10 guys look at me like I’m high risk, low reward and they want nothing to do with me. That’s just a little bit disappointing.

I appreciate Sean Shelby. He’s called me every time and he’s talked to me and he’s explained his situation. I was a little off about that, so I have to say sorry to Sean. Sorry, Sean.

Dariush was asked if higher-ranked fighters should be forced to take fights in order to created opportunity for up and comers.

I come from a totalitarian country and I like capitalism, said the Iranian American. I like where you get to have decisions and I get to have decisions. So I’m going to go with a no on that one. I think everyone deserves to have a voice in the matter.

Dariush wants to fight in April or May, against someone in the top 5:
1. Dustin Poirier
2. Justin Gaethje
3. Charles Oliveira
4. Michael Chandler
5. Tony Ferguson

Unfortunately for Dariush, the top 5 are in all likelihood fighting each other in a bid to figure out who the next champion is in the UFC’s deepest division, with the apparent retirement retirement of champ Khabib Nurmagomedov.

UG, step into Sean Shelby’s shoes – who should Dariush fight next?