ABU DHABI – Beneil Dariush thinks he’s done enough, yet he’s likely not the next in line for a title shot in the UFC’s lightweight division.
The contender notched his eighth consecutive win Saturday when he beat Mateusz Gamrot with a unanimous decision on the main card of UFC 280.
Yet, despite the impressive winning streak, UFC president Dana White indicatedfeatherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski likely will be the next challenger at 155 pounds.
This makes Dariush (22-4-1 MMA, 16-4-1 UFC) wonder what he needs to do to secure a title fight.
“If that didn’t do it, what else can I do?” Dariush said at the post-fight news conference. “If that performance, beating a guy like Gamrot – who some said he was undefeated coming into this fight – like beating a guy like that … Obviously, I didn’t finish him. He’s a lot tougher than I thought. I got kind of close in that last round.
“But if that’s not the proper way to ask (for a title shot), I need somebody to tell me how I should be asking and how I’m doing this wrong. If we’re talking about merit, I don’t think there’s anyone else.”
Many might find Dariush’s circumstance frustrating, but the 33-year-old is keeping calm. Sooner or later, Dariush thinks he will fight for UFC gold.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Dariush said. “I’m going to beat down whoever I need to beat down. They could circle that belt around me all they want. They can try to avoid me all they want, but my day will come. What God has planned, no one will stop.”