Despite an eight-fight winning streak, Beneil Dariush still feels overlooked when it comes to the lightweight title picture.
The Kings MMA product earned a significant triumph at UFC 280 over the weekend, taking a hard-fought unanimous decision over Mateusz Gamrot, a former KSW champion who entered the matchup on a four-bout winning streak within the Las Vegas-based promotion. Even with the latest addition to his growing resume, it appears the UFC is leaning toward booking a lightweight championship clash between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski.
“Remember when I told you I still don’t think people are going to take me serious after this? We’re still exactly where we were before, nothing’s changed,” Dariush told Submission Radio. “Does it sound like I’m getting a title shot? I don’t think so.
“Maybe I’m getting some extra credit here and there from people. I think still no title shot. If anything, people are probably like, ‘Maybe Gamrot isn’t as good as we thought.’ Obviously he’s a stud. That’s just the way it goes for me.”
The promotion’s plans became apparent on Saturday when Volkanovski entered the cage to face off with Makhachev after the Dagestani defeated Charles Oliveira to claim 155-pound gold in the UFC 280 headliner.
“It was a bummer,” Dariush said. “It sucks. I figured I put on a good show, maybe this was enough to maybe tip the scale back in my favor, but I guess not. Which is whatever.”
While Dariush didn’t seem overly concerned with a title shot in the immediate aftermath of his triumph against Gamrot, the reality is he would like a little more clarity regarding his status.
“I did want to speak with Dana [White] and Hunter [Campbell], so I’m hoping I can maybe set up a meeting with them next week or something and get it figured out like that,” Dariush said. “Because I really do want know where I stand.”
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