The fourth number of the UFC lightweight division, Benil Dariush, rejected the offer of the organization’s matchmakers to enter the candidate fight against Islam Makhachev in July, explaining his refusal by the fact that he had not yet recovered from a broken leg and could not start a training camp.
At the same time, Dariush does not exclude that he will be able to return to the octagon in August-September, but he considers the UFC 281 tournament, which will be held on October 22 in Abu Dhabi, to be the best option.
This was reported by informed sources close to the situation.
Recall that a potential contender fight between Benil Dariush and Islam Makhachev was supposed to head the UFC Fight Night 202 tournament in Las Vegas on February 26, however, a week before the event, Dariush broke his fibula and was replaced by Bobby Green, who lost to the Russian by technical knockout in first round.
After defeating Green, Makhachev announced that he had no plans to wait for Dariush to recover, and wants to see his next opponent the winner of the title fight between Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje, who will meet on May 7 at UFC 274 in Phoenix.
