UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush is confused by the potential lightweight title matchup between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett.
This past Saturday, Ilia Topuria became the new UFC lightweight champion after knocking out Charles Oliveira in spectacular fashion in the UFC 317 main event.
Immediately after the fight, Topuria was faced with his potential next opponent as Paddy Pimblett was brought into the cage for an impromptu face off with the newly crowned champion.
Despite that, UFC boss Dana White admitted that he wasn’t happy with the decision to let ‘The Baddy’ into the Octagon following the fight.
Beneil Dariush slams potential fight between Topuria and Pimblett
Following White’s words regarding the impromptu face off, it is unclear whether the Brit will be the next title challenger or if the promotion will go down a different route.
Topuria and Pimblett have a longstanding feud and the fight will be considered as one of the biggest fights in UFC history if it does take place.
Despite that, the opening betting odds were released this past Sunday and ‘El Matador’ has opened up as a huge -600 favorite to retain his title in a potential clash.
And one lightweight contender who has admitted his confusion with the potential fight is Beneil Dariush. ‘Benny D’ competed on the UFC 317 undercard, picking up a decision win against Renato Moicano.
“Ilia’s performance was a masterclass, you can’t deny that guy, he’s very good, he’s the elite of the elite. As far as with Paddy going in, man I don’t know why they did that,” Dariush explained to The Schmo.
“It’s almost like, I feel like you’re feeding the kid to the lions but you never know, he might have something we don’t know for Ilia… It’s like a sheep to the slaughter… I genuinely don’t know but so far Ilia has looked unstoppable,” he continued.
Dariush went on to state that he believes Arman Tsarukyan is the most deserving challenger next, however, White’s post fight comments suggest the Armenian won’t be picked next.
Ilia Topuria doesn’t think super fight against Islam Makhachev will happen
‘El Matador’ has always been extremely hopeful that he would fight Islam Makhachev, however with the Russian scheduled to move up to welterweight, that fight grows less likely.
Following his win this past Saturday, Topuria claimed that the super fight is unlikely to happen considering conversations he has had with the UFC previously.