Beniel Dariush on the way Kelvin Gastelum improved

When training at a place like Kings MMA, there’s an abundance of high-quality training partners to help get fighters prepare. As Beneil Dariush moves towards his fight this weekend in Wichita vs. Drew Dober, he feels that his training partners have brought out the very best in him.

I’m getting some of the best training that I’ve ever had,” he said. “As far as being prepared, that’s not going to be an issue. I have a lot of great training partners. Kings MMA; we have some of the best guys in the world – just having those guys has been real helpful.

Among those that have been regular training partners for this fight is middleweight title challenger Kelvin Gastelum, who is set for a clash with Israel Adesanya in April. As Gastelum prepares for his shot at the strap, Dariush says he could feel the difference in him.

I had to spar with him a few times for this fight, and it’s the best that he’s ever felt, said Dariush His timing was the best. I think that was the best timing I’ve ever seen from him. He was in and out, his speed and power – everything was there.

But it was not some large scale changes that brought out the best in Gastelum. Rather it was fine-tuning the things he already does so well in the cage.

I spend a lot of time sparring with Kelvin, and it’s the little things that make a difference, and every little thing was on point, he said.

And Dariush expects that those little things will pay off for him as well this weekend.

(2:30 mark)

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Author Daniel Vreeland is a co-founder of the Top Turtle Podcast, and a brown belt in Jiu-Jitsu at New England Submission Fighting in Amherst, Massachusetts.