Beneil Dariush thinks the results of his UFC 311 battle in opposition to Renato Moicano could have a heavy affect on his future in combined martial arts.
Winless since October 2022 and on a two-fight shedding skid, Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC) returns to competitors in a light-weight bout in opposition to 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 a part of the UFC roster for practically 11 years. He’s been knocked out within the first spherical of back-to-back fights in opposition to Arman Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira, and now Dariush has come to what he considers a crossroads matchup with Moicano.
“I don’t know precisely once I’m going to retire,” Dariush informed MMA Junkie Radio. “It’s a type of issues the place I’m going to have the ability to pinpoint to, ‘Hey, I’m 36. I’m finished. I’m 37. I’m finished.’” It’s actually two issues: Do I’ve the will? Then the second half, which is simply as necessary: Do I’ve the flexibility. At the moment I really feel like I’ve the will, and I nonetheless really feel like I’ve the flexibility. I don’t really feel like I’m missing, and I do imagine I’ve gotten means higher over the yr. It’s been a extremely good yr for enchancment and progress.
“All that’s left is being really capable of show it. Stepping into that octagon and proving what I’ve been capable of do. If I can do this, I’m going to proceed to battle. If I can’t do this there’s clearly one thing lacking, and also you solely get so many possibilities to repair it. It is perhaps time to contemplate strolling away from this. I’ve nothing in opposition to guys who battle for a very long time, I’ve loads of respect for these guys, however my need was all the time to be champion. If I don’t have the flexibility to be champion, I’m would greater than seemingly stroll away from the game.”
By the point Darius will get within the octagon at UFC 311, he could have been off for greater than 13 months. He described his bodily situation as “one of the best ever” in his profession, and he’s eager to get again on observe.
Dariush isn’t bothered by the very fact he’s the betting underdog in opposition to Moicano. He really agrees that it’s justified. Nevertheless, he mentioned it’s solely gasoline to exit and supply a reminder why he’s been a ranked light-weight for the higher a part of a decade.
“I’m tremendous pumped to get a reputation like Moicano, he’s been on a streak,” Dariush mentioned. “I didn’t know who I used to be going to get. I referred to as to get a battle and my factor has all the time been, battle one of the best guys on this planet, attempt to turn out to be world champion, and that’s it.
“So far as who’s the favourite and who is just not, I believe it makes loads of sense that I’d be the underdog, as a result of I’m on a downhill proper now and he’s on the uphill. It makes whole sense. The query is, what model of Dariush are you going to get? That’s actually the query individuals are asking.”
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