Beneil Khobier Dariush (Syriac: ܒܢܐܝܠ ܕܪܝܘܫ, Persian: بنیل خوبیر داریوش; born May 6, 1989) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
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Background
Dariush was born and raised to Christian Assyrian parents on a farm near Urmia, West Azerbaijan Province in Iran. When he was nine, he and his parents left Iran emigrating to America where they already had several relatives from their large extended family. At the time, Beneil and his sister Beraeil did not speak English, so they spent most of the time playing with their cousins.
Dariush is a devout Christian, often making a note of his religious affiliation during UFC media events, promotional work, and post-fight interviews. In keeping with this faith, he sponsors an orphanage and Christian school in Haiti known as the Cap-Haïtien Children's Home.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Dariush began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2007, earning his black belt in just five years. He was a highly decorated competitor, becoming a no gi world champion as a blue, purple, and brown belt.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In January 2014, Dariush made his UFC debut on January 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 35. He was scheduled to face Jason High. However, High was forced out of the bout with appendicitis and was replaced by returning veteran Charlie Brenneman. Dariush won the fight via submission in the first round.
Dariush returned three months later, losing to Ramsey Nijem by first-round TKO on April 11, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 39.
Dariush was expected to face Anthony Rocco Martin on August 2, 2014, at UFC 176. After the event was canceled, the bout was rescheduled for August 23 at UFC Fight Night 49. Dariush won via submission in the second round.
Dariush made his PPV debut at UFC 179 on October 25, 2014, defeating the undefeated Carlos Diego Ferreira by unanimous decision.
Dariush submitted Daron Cruickshank in the second round on March 14, 2015, at UFC 185, winning his first Performance of the Night bonus award. The bout took place at a catchweight of 157 lbs. as Cruickshank was unable to make the lightweight limit.
Dariush replaced an injured Paul Felder and faced Jim Miller on April 18, 2015, at UFC on Fox 15. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Dariush next faced Michael Johnson on August 8, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 73. Dariush won the fight via controversial split decision. Every mainstream MMA media outlet scored the fight as a decision victory for Johnson.
Dariush was expected to face Mairbek Taisumov on January 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 81. However, Dariush pulled out of the fight in early December citing injury and was replaced by Chris Wade.
Dariush faced Michael Chiesa on April 16, 2016, at UFC on Fox 19. Dariush lost the fight via submission in the second round.
Fighting style
Dariush's approach draws heavily from his background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. On the ground, Dariush tends to maintain top control and aggressively passes guard to secure a mount position. Dariush has five submission wins by rear naked choke. Dariush has been described by analysts as one of his division's best counter wrestlers, with his win over Gamrot cited as exemplary in this regard. Dariush's jiu-jitsu and counter wrestling help nullify takedown threats, and as such Dariush commits to heavy strikes when on the feet, seen particularly in his overhand left and side kicks.
Dariush has developed a reputation for being chinny, with seven of his eight losses coming by knockout, and all but one in the first round.
Personal life
Due to his efforts with partnering with the Shlama Foundation to raise funds and awareness as well as helping to fund two orphanages in Haiti in partnership with Promise Child Ministries, he was chosen to be honored with the 2024 Forrest Griffin Community Award at the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony on June 27, 2024. Dariush also teaches 8-17 year-olds jiu-jitsu and self-defense at Kings MMA five days a week.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Performance of the Night (Four times) vs. Daron Cruickshank, Drew Dober, Frank Camacho and Drakkar Klose
Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira
Tied (Donald Cerrone) for third most wins in UFC Lightweight division history (17)
2024 Forrest Griffin Community Award
UFC Honors Awards
2020: Fan's Choice Comeback of the Year Winner vs. Drakkar Klose
UFC.com Awards
2020: Ranked #7 Knockout of the Year vs. Drakkar Klose & Ranked #10 Knockout of the Year vs. Scott Holtzman
2021: Ranked #7 Upset of the Year vs. Tony Ferguson
Respect in the Cage
RITC Lightweight Championship (One time)
One successful title defense
MMA Junkie
2020 March Knockout of the Month vs. Drakkar Klose
2020 August Knockout of the Month vs. Scott Holtzman
MMA Sucka
2020 Comeback of the Year vs. Drakkar Klose at UFC 248
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
World No Gi Champion (2010 brown, 2009 purple absolute, 2008 blue)
World No Gi Championship (2010 brown absolute)
Pan American Championship (2009 blue)
World Championship 2nd Place (2012 brown, 2010 purple, 2009 blue)
Pan American Championship 2nd Place (2010 brown weight & absolute)
World Championship 3rd Place (2009 blue absolute)
World No Gi Championship 3rd Place (2009 purple)
Pan American Championship 3rd Place (2011 brown)
