Beneil Dariush Predicts Brutal Outcome for “Running” Islam Makhachev Against Leon Edwards: “Islam Struggles Without a Strength Advantage”

Islam Makhachev made the rounds in the media recently after calling out yet another champion in another division; this time the welterweight champion Leon Edwards. Beneil Dariush didn’t take kindly to Makhachev’s potential match-up, claiming the lightweight champ was running from the contenders in his division. He went on to remark that he wouldn’t fare well against an opponent with a strength advantage and could possibly get finished should the fight take place.

These comments come from a rather frustrated Dariush, who has fought for the UFC for almost ten years now. The 4th ranked lightweight is on an eight-match win streak in his division and fought on the same card Makhachev won the title in. He was slated to compete for the title before the Alexander Volkanovski fight was made but now has to face Oliveira for a title shot. The lightweight stalwart is understandably discontent with the fact that he has still not received a title shot despite being so active in the division.

Is Islam Makhachev ducking contenders from his division?

The lightweight division is a packed division with many in the top 5 either having won the title or fought for it at some point. Makhachev, however, seems more interested in competing with fighters outside the division. “I think he needs to focus on his division, there’s a lot of good fighters in his division,” Dariush remarked. “I don’t know why he’s running off to other divisions.”

The veteran doesn’t believe in callouts or trash talk, which makes him less marketable to the UFC. This hasn’t stopped many fans from arguing that on the merit of performance and ranking Dariush should be granted an opportunity to fight for the title. 

He went on to say that while he understands Makhachev’s desire to chase super fights, he notes that it is potentially detrimental to the division. Dariush declared, “This is not how you keep divisions active.”

Read More: “I Feel Sorry for Beneil” – UFC Fans Despise “Sad” Beneil Dariush Fate as Dana White Puts a Big Question Mark Over Title Fight Dream

While Dariush’s frustration is warranted, it is well documented that for a long period of time, lightweight contenders would avoid fighting Makhachev on his ascent to the top of the division. So it would be incorrect to state that Makhachev is running away from contenders in his division despite chasing fights outside of it.

How would Makhachev fare against Leon Edwards?

Fresh off his win against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286, Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards has the makings of a dominant champion. The reigning welterweight champion is a tough man to beat given his impressive striking and stellar takedown defense. However, the Dagestani fighter poses a unique challenge with his high-level grappling and all round durability. While Makhachev would give up a slight size and strength advantage, he would still be a formidable challenge to Edwards. Well, Dariush thinks otherwise.

Dariush is of the opinion that the fight “would probably go to a decision or Leon could possibly finish him.” He argued, “Makhachev from what I’ve noticed, seems to have a strength advantage in almost all of his fights and he uses it really well but for the fights he hasn’t had it, for example Volkanovski he seems to really struggle when he doesn’t have that strength advantage.”

Dariush believes that Edwards is a bad matchup for any fighter and that “Leon is the most well-rounded fighter I can watch.” 

Who do you think wins in a welterweight bout? Edwards or Makhachev?

Watch this story: UFC 284: Fighters react to Volkanovski vs Makhachev controversial decision