Beneil Dariush thinks the result of his UFC 311 fight against Renato Moicano will have a heavy influence on his future in mixed martial arts.
Winless since October 2022 and on a two-fight losing skid, Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC) returns to competition in a lightweight bout against Moicano (20-5-1 MMA, 12-5 UFC) on Jan. 18 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+)
The 35-year-old has been part of the UFC roster for nearly 11 years. He’s been knocked out in the first round of back-to-back fights against Arman Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira, and now Dariush has come to what he considers a crossroads matchup with Moicano.
“I don’t know exactly when I’m going to retire,” Dariush told MMA Junkie Radio. “It’s one of those things where I’m going to be able to pinpoint to, ‘Hey, I’m 36. I’m done. I’m 37. I’m done.'” It’s really two things: Do I have the desire? Then the second part, which is just as important: Do I have the ability. Currently I feel like I have the desire, and I still feel like I have the ability. I don’t feel like I’m lacking, and I do believe I’ve gotten way better over the year. It’s been a really good year for improvement and growth.
“All that’s left is being actually able to prove it. Getting into that octagon and proving what I’ve been able to do. If I can do that, I’m going to continue to fight. If I can’t do that there’s obviously something missing, and you only get so many chances to fix it. It might be time to consider walking away from this. I have nothing against guys who fight for a long time, I have a lot of respect for these guys, but my desire was always to be champion. If I don’t have the ability to be champion, I’m would more than likely walk away from the sport.”
By the time Darius gets in the octagon at UFC 311, he will have been off for more than 13 months. He described his physical condition as “the best ever” in his career, and he is keen to get back on track.
Dariush isn’t bothered by the fact he is the betting underdog against Moicano. He actually agrees that it’s justified. However, he said it’s only fuel to go out and offer a reminder why he’s been a ranked lightweight for the better part of a decade.
“I’m super pumped to get a name like Moicano, he’s been on a streak,” Dariush said. “I didn’t know who I was going to get. I called to get a fight and my thing has always been, fight the best guys in the world, try to become world champion, and that’s it.
“As far as who is the favorite and who is not, I think it makes a lot of sense that I would be the underdog, because I’m on a downhill right now and he’s on the uphill. It makes total sense. The question is, what version of Dariush are you going to get? That’s really the question people are asking.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.
