Beneil Khobier Dariush (born May 6, 1989) is an Iranian - American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of May 17, 2021, he is #3 in the UFC lightweight rankings.
Background
Dariush was born and raised on a farm in Iran. He is a Christian of ethnic Assyrian descent. When he was nine, he and his parents left Iran emigrating to America where they already had several relatives from their large extended family. At the time, Beneil and his sister Beraeil did not speak English, so they spent most of the time playing with their cousins.
Dariush is a devout Christian, often making note of his religious affiliation during UFC media events, promotional work, and post-fight interviews. In keeping with this faith, he sponsors an orphanage and Christian school in Haiti known as the Cap-Haitien Children's Home.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Dariush began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2007, earning his black belt in just five years. He was a highly decorated competitor, becoming a no gi world champion as a blue, purple, and brown belt. During the first three and a half years of his career, he went undefeated with six wins and no losses. He finished all but one of those wins.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In January 2014, Dariush made his UFC debut on January 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 35. He was scheduled to face Jason High. However, High was forced out of the bout with appendicitis and was replaced by returning veteran Charlie Brenneman. Dariush won the fight via submission in the first round.
Dariush returned three months later, losing to Ramsey Nijem by first-round TKO on April 11, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 39.
Dariush was expected to face Anthony Rocco Martin on August 2, 2014, at UFC 176. After the event was cancelled, the bout was rescheduled for August 23 at UFC Fight Night 49. Dariush won via submission in the second round.
Dariush made his PPV debut at UFC 179 on October 25, 2014, defeating the undefeated Carlos Diego Ferreira by unanimous decision.
Dariush submitted Daron Cruickshank in the second round on March 14, 2015, at UFC 185, winning his first Performance of the Night bonus award. The bout took place at a catchweight of 157 lbs. as Cruickshank was unable to make the lightweight limit.
Dariush replaced an injured Paul Felder and decisioned Jim Miller on April 18, 2015, at UFC on Fox 15.
Dariush next faced Michael Johnson on August 8, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 73. Dariush won the fight via controversial split decision. Every mainstream MMA media outlet scored the fight as a decision victory for Johnson.
Dariush was expected to face Mairbek Taisumov on January 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 81. However, Dariush pulled out of the fight in early December citing injury and was replaced by Chris Wade.
Dariush faced Michael Chiesa on April 16, 2016, at UFC on Fox 19. Dariush lost the fight via submission in the second round.
Dariush next faced James Vick on June 4, 2016, at UFC 199, replacing an injured Evan Dunham. Dariush won the fight via KO in the first round.
Dariush faced Rashid Magomedov on November 5, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Dariush faced Edson Barboza on March 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 106. He lost the fight via KO due to a flying knee in the second round.
Dariush fought Evan Dunham on October 7, 2017, at UFC 216. The fight ended in a majority draw, with one judge scoring the bout for Dariush.
Dariush was expected to face Bobby Green on March 3, 2018, at UFC 222. However, on February 14, 2018, it was announced that Green was forced to pull out from the event, citing injury. Green was replaced by Alexander Hernandez. Dariush lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
Dariush was expected to face Chris Gruetzemacher on November 10, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 139. However, on October 18, 2018, it was reported that Gruetzemacher withdrew from the event and he was replaced by newcomer Thiago Moisés. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Dariush faced Drew Dober on March 9, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 146. He won the fight via submission in the second round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Dariush was expected to face Drakkar Klose on July 13, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 155. However, on July 7, Dariush pulled out of the fight with an injury. As a result, UFC officials opted to remove Klose from the card and he is expected to be scheduled for a future event instead.
Dariush faced Frank Camacho on October 26, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 20. He won the fight via submission in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Dariush next faced Drakkar Klose on March 7, 2020, at UFC 248, a rescheduling of the bout that was canceled in July 2019. He won the fight via knockout in the second round. This win earned him his fourth Performance of the Night award.
Dariush faced Scott Holtzman on August 8, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 174. He won the fight via knockout in round one.
Dariush was scheduled to meet Charles Oliveira on October 4, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana. However, Oliveira pulled out of the fight in early September for undisclosed reasons. Dariush was removed from the card and was eventually rescheduled for a rematch with Carlos Diego Ferreira at UFC Fight Night 184 on February 6, 2021.
A rematch with Carlos Diego Ferreira took place on February 6, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 184. He won the fight via split decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.
Dariush faced Tony Ferguson on May 15, 2021, at UFC 262. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Dariush is scheduled to face Islam Makhachev on February 26, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 202.
