Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan closed out the night at UFC Austin — a lightweight main event overshadowed throughout Fight Week by a pair of altercations between Tsarukyan and Bobby Green.
Whether Tsarukyan was distracted heading into a key fight in his career remained to be seen.
Dariush opened the fight with a high kick, and immediately took the fight to Tsarukyan, who had to backpedal a moment before regrouping. But moments later, it was Arman Tsarukyan getting the upper hand — and proving that he was in no way distracted! Tsarukyan raised a knee, launching a knee strike that didn’t actually connect, then uncorked a right hand that planted Beneil Dariush on his back. Dariush, essentially looking for the license plate of whatever truck had just hit him, ate a follow-up strike or two before the ref could dive in and make the save. That sent Arman Tsarukyan over the fence in celebration of what is unquestionably the biggest win of his career.
Where Tsarukyan goes from here should be interesting. Prior to losing to Charles Oliveira at UFC 289, Dariush had been on an eight-fight win streak, and considered a dark horse for a title shot. A Green win at UFC Austin might have set up a grudge match, but he was knocked out by Jalin Turner.
ONE MINUTE IS ALL HE NEEDED 👊@ArmanUFC makes quick work of Beneil Dariush at #UFCAustin pic.twitter.com/m65yigcNhp
— UFC (@ufc) December 3, 2023
Official Result: Arman Tsarukyan def. Beneil Dariush by knockout, Round 1, 1:04
