Anaheim, CA — Beneil Dariush has been staying busy at King’s MMA, where the UFC lightweight has trained with the visiting Robert Whittaker, and also teaches kid’s classes.
“If you think fighting is hectic, try kids,” Dariush told Cageside Press in a recent exclusive interview. “Teaching kids has got a different joy to it but at the same time, it requires a lot of patience and a lot of work.”
Making a difference for the next generation is huge for Dariush, especially knowing he can make them more disciplined. “I know I can make a difference. I don’t need to make a— people are always trying to make this huge difference in the world, blah blah blah. You work on the small, you build from the foundation up. That’s how it goes. People try to go straight to the top, it’s like, my goal is to start from the house and then go to my community and grow like that.”
We asked Beneil Dariush about Alexander Volkanovski’s talk of moving up to the lightweight division permanent. Volkanovski headlines UFC 298 this weekend, taking on the undefeated Ilia Topuria while looking to defend the 145lb title once again.
“I love it. For me, it’s always good to have new guys and guys that are hungry,” Dariush said of the possibility. “And I’m always trying to fight these guys. That’s kind of been my history. And I think if Volk ends up coming to the lightweight division I think it would be very exciting.”
“I would love to have an opportunity to fight him, and I’m sure everybody else would too in the top five, top ten.”
As far as a prediction, Dariush was more confident in the co-main event showdown between middleweights Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker than the main.
“I like Volk, I think he’s a great guy, I’m rooting for him, but it’s a tough fight. So it’s hard to pick. And then I’m definitely going with Robert Whittaker,” said Dariush. “The man is a machine, and he just felt really good. His balance felt really good. Personally I want Volkanovski to win, and I definitely think Robert Whittaker is goin to win. After feeling him and training with him I just don’t see him losing.”
Watch our full interview with UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush above.
