Beneil Dariush challenges, Dustin Poirier declines: A clash in the UFC

In the world of UFC, Beneil Dariush has faced an unexpected setback. Despite two offers to fight Dustin Poirier, “The Diamond” has chosen to decline. This development took place in Austin, Texas, where Dariush expressed his disappointment over Poirier’s lack of interest.

Dariush (22-5-1 MMA, 16-5-1 UFC), who has been eager for the opportunity to compete against Poirier, learned that Poirier (29-8 MMA, 21-7 UFC) does not find excitement in such a match.

“I’ve seen interviews with Dustin, and he doesn’t seem interested in fighting me,” Dariush said to MMA Junkie and other reporters.

Poirier, known for seeking fights that engage him, like his recent bout against Justin Gaethje at UFC 291, has previously expressed his preference for carefully selecting his opponents.

Instead of Poirier, Dariush will now face the rising contender Arman Tsarukyan (20-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) in the main event at UFC on ESPN 52, taking place at the Moody Center in Austin. This match will be broadcast on ESPN following the preliminary matches on ESPN+. Despite the change, Dariush remains positive.

“I can’t force a man to fight me,” he explains. He acknowledges that a match against Poirier would be exciting, but respects his right to choose his fights.

This situation within the UFC highlights the dynamics and strategy behind match-fixing. As Dariush prepares for his upcoming fight, he reflects on the possibility of having faced Poirier, a fighter known for his skills and contributions to the sport. Meanwhile, Poirier’s refusal confirms that not only skill but also public interest and the excitement a match can generate are significant.