Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski has been warned he has “holes in his putting” and should now get in line relating to a second shot at UFC light-weight king Islam Makhachev.
Talking with Fox Sports activities Australia from Vancouver, Canada, UFC light-weight contender Beneil Dariush insists will probably be him – and never Volkanovski – who subsequent challenges Makhachev for the division’s strap.
The 34-year-old American, who’s at the moment on a run of eight straight wins, added the UFC featherweight champ ought to now should combat a prime 5 light-weight earlier than getting a second crack at ‘champ champ’ standing.
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Set to face Charles Oliveira at UFC 289 this Sunday, Dariush says senior UFC executives have already promised him a title shot if victorious.
Solely just lately, Volkanovski revealed his personal plan for the remainder of 2023 was to defend featherweight gold towards Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 in July earlier than having a second crack at Makhachev himself in October.
Again in February, the Sydneysider suffered a controversial choice loss towards the light-weight champ, prompting requires a direct rematch.
Dariush, nonetheless, disagrees.
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“So far as why it ought to be me after this combat? As a result of it ought to’ve been me after the final win,” he mentioned this week.
“I’ve completed sufficient.
“And I get how Volkanovski, at the moment, was pound for pound No.1, so that they gave him a possibility.
“However he fell quick.
“And now, he ought to should combat in his division once more.
“If something, he must also should combat in our division earlier than he will get a direct rematch on the light-weight title.
“That’s my opinion.
“He bought a shot, and now he ought to should earn a second one.”
Requested how a combat between himself and ‘Light-weight Volk’ would go, Dariush continued: “I believe it could be a extremely good combat.
“However surprisingly, (in his final outing towards Makhachev) I used to be anticipating to see holes in his grappling.
“However as an alternative I noticed extra holes in his putting.
“And I might like to benefit from that.”
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In response to Australian betting businesses, Dariush is the $1.70 favorite for Sunday’s showdown whereas Oliveira is wider at $2.20.
The American additionally revealed that it was at least UFC Chief Enterprise Officer Hunter Campbell who had promised him the title shot in victory.
Requested the way it felt to lastly be on the cusp of a possibility many have argued is lengthy overdue, he mentioned: “Wonderful.
“It looks like I’ve been ready for this ceaselessly.
“(Even on this camp) it feels prefer it’s been 20 weeks.
“However I’ve completed my finest to remain wholesome, harm free, whereas on the similar time nonetheless prepare as laborious as potential.
“So that is the very best model of me you’re going to seek out.”
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Regardless of Dariush claiming he has been promised a title shot with victory, UFC president Dana White refused to verify any ensures when requested about precisely that on the combat week press convention.
So is there any probability, even with Campbell’s promise, the fighter nonetheless looks like it could take a end towards Oliveira – or a spotlight reel second – to earn that title shot?
“I don’t assume I would like a end, I simply must win,” he mentioned.
“However in saying that, I really feel like I’m going to get the end.
“As a result of with our kinds, I believe the possibilities of a end are excessive.
“I believe he (Oliveira) shall be very aggressive.
“From what I’ve seen of him, he doesn’t actually know methods to combat some other approach.
“He comes ahead, throws wild strikes, seems to be to grapple, makes the combat thrilling … in order that’s what I’m anticipating from him.”
The fighter added that he was buoyed to once more be accompanied in combat week by his spouse Victoria and their two younger daughters.
Requested how he made combat week preparations work whereas serving to take care of his younger kids he mentioned: “It’s laborious to be a father, it’s laborious to be a husband … it’s not laborious to be a fighter.
“That’s truly the best factor for me.
“I like going to apply, like studying, sparring, I like the liberty that I’ve inside that Octagon.
“However the self-discipline it takes to be a husband and father, I believe that’s rather more troublesome.
“And if I separate myself from my household – take one or two weeks – it simply makes issues tougher for me.
“I miss my children.
“And I don’t assume I must sacrifice this to be victorious.
“I did it final combat towards (Mateusz) Gamrot.
“I flew my entire household all the way in which to Abu Dhabi.
“My daughter was 17 months outdated … powerful flight on the way in which again … however I nonetheless made it work. For me it’s not a problem.”
