Beneil Dariush Says UFC Told Him Win Over Oliveira Earns Him Title Fight

Beneil Dariush has won 8 fights in a row, but if the UFC star extends that streak to 9, he’ll earn himself a title shot against the lightweight champion … all he’s got to do is beat Charles Oliveira, one of the baddest men in the world.

TMZ Sports caught up with 34-year-old, #4 ranked Dariush a week before his UFC 289 co-main event scrap against current #1 contender “do Bronx” … and asked him what a win would do as he continues his quest for the belt.

“The UFC said if I win this fight, I’m the number 1 contender, so yes [they told me I’ll get the next title fight],” Dariush told us.

Dariush, who first fought for Dana White‘s organization in early 2014, has been fighting in every sense of the word for a title fight, and now he’s finally on the doorstep.

Though, BD’s supporters would argue he’s long deserved the opportunity … and it’s hard to argue with his resume.

Beneil hasn’t lost since March 2018. During his 8-fight win streak, he’s beaten Tony Ferguson, Drew Dober and Mateusz Gamrot.

We asked Dariush if being so close to a title shot provided extra motivation … and his answer may surprise you.

“To be honest with you, when it comes to motivation, I don’t lack any. It’s hard to add on to the motivation that I have right now,” Beneil told us, adding, “My biggest motivation is knowing that God has given me a gift, and I’m not gonna waste it. I’m not gonna squander it.”

There’s much more with Dariush … we talked to him about the stylistic matchup, pitting two Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts against each other, and whether BD believes the fight will stay on the feet, or go to the ground.

We also talked to Oliveira … who is looking to earn another title shot himself.

Of course, Charles was previously the champion at 155 lbs. … but lost to current belt holder Islam Makhachev in October 2022.

Now, Oliveira is ready to make another run at the title … “I feel good, I feel happy, I’m ready, and focused on getting the win,” Charles told us.

As for a title shot … CO says he hasn’t explicitly been told he’d be next with a win, but he believes it’s pretty clearly what should happen.

“Nobody told me, I don’t know about Ben, but I think that will happen. I think we both deserve it, whoever wins this Saturday should get a title shot.”