Beneil Dariush vs. Arman Tsarukyan: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Beneil Dariush can get back on track after losing his eight-fight winning streak. The Iranian-born American is up against Armenian-Russian Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC Austin, a lightweight bout between two top ten fighters. Fighting the number four ranged Dariush is the sort of challenge Tsarukyan has been angling for. Both fighters are expert grapplers who are no pushovers on their feet. Tsarukyan is the favorite ahead of the headliner.

MMA: UFC Lightweight

Venue: Moody Center, Austin, Texas

Where to watch: ESPN/ESPN+

Date: 03.12.2023. 06.00

Charles Oliveria handed Beneil Dariush his first loss in five years when he stopped the American with a first-round TKO last June. Dariush, who was making his 2023 bow in that loss, was riding an eight-fight winning streak in 2018. A black belt in BJJ and Muay Thai, Beneil Dariush made his promotional debut in 2014.

• Age: 34
• Height: 5' 10"
• Reach: 72"
• Record: 22-5-1

That's the thing, for MMA, listen, if you're not getting better, you're pretty much getting worse," Dariush said. "Because everyone's getting better all the time. You're getting crushed out there if you show up the same way you were five years ago. So, I think that's what makes it exciting for me.

Beneil Dariush

"Lion Heart" is a highly competent grappler with very efficient wrestling skills. The number eight-ranked lightweight made his UFC debut against Islam Makhachev in 2019. Although he lost by unanimous decision, the fast-paced encounter with eye-catching wrestling earned him the Fight of the Night bonus and announced him on the UFC stage. He had arrived at the promotion on the back of a twelve-fight win streak in the Russian regional scene. The Russian has had a good run recently, but his frustration in not fighting a top-ranked opponent has seen him calling out top-five lightweights like Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier. The 27-year-old stopped Joaquin Silva last June.

• Age: 27
• Height: 5' 7"
• Reach: 72"
• Record: 20-3

His strong points are his jiu-jitsu and striking technique. It's a bit too wide, but it's still pretty good. He's got a knockout punch. That's basically it. Of course, he's a master. He's a good wrestler.

Arman Tsarukyan

Beneil Dariush is a 3.23 underdog on 1XBET. The American to KO his Russian opponent is priced at 8 odds on 1XBET. The fight to go to a decision is 2.15 odds on Betwinner, while a bet for no decision is 1.62, also on Betwinner. Over 2.5 rounds is 1.52 on Bet365, with the under at 2.45.