Islam Makhachev is one of the most talked-about rising prospects in the UFC lightweight division of this era. Akin to every UFC fighter in his division, he aims to claim the 155 lbs throne. And it seems like the Dagestani fighter couldn’t wait any longer to get back in action to get a step closer to his goal.
Makhachev last fought Dan Hooker on October 30, 2021, at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi. The 30-year-old only needed 2:25 minutes of the first round to claim a dominating submission (Kimura) victory.
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A credible report suggests that the Dagestani fighter got an opponent and a set date for his next fight.
As per Brett Okamoto, Makhachev will face the third-ranked UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush in a UFC Fight Night main event next year, on February 26, 2022.
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One sure thing that can be said is that a lot of eyes will be on this bout as the winner will probably be next in line for a title shot after Justin Gaethje, who is fans’ and the promotion’s current first pick as the title challenger.
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What to expect from Islam Makhachev vs. Beneil Dariush?
At the time of writing, Makhachev is 21-1 in his professional MMA career. Furthermore, he is riding on an amazing 9-fight win streak. Meanwhile, Dariush is 21-4-1 in his professional career, who is riding on a 7-fight win streak.
Makhachev is an elite submission grappler, which he perfectly displayed in his last fight against Dan Hooker. Meanwhile, Dariush, who last defeated Tony Ferguson via unanimous decision, has great striking as well as grappling skills.
Both fighters have their sights set on the lightweight title, which further adds to the intrigue of this bout. Moreover, the two are the type of fighters who do not go down easily.
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That said, fans can expect fireworks when Makhachev and Dariush clash against each other at UFC Fight Night on February 26, 2022.
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How excited are you for Islam Makhachev vs. Beneil Dariush? Do share with us your pick between the two in the comments section down below.