Career Timeline of Beneil Dariush: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Beneil Dariush, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Beneil Dariush is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the UFC's Lightweight division. As of August 19, 2025, he holds the #9 ranking in the UFC lightweight division. He is a notable figure in the world of mixed martial arts.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

January 15, 2014: UFC Debut

On January 15, 2014, Beneil Dariush made his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 35 and won his fight via submission in the first round against Charlie Brenneman.

January 2014: Scheduled Bout

In January 2014, Beneil Dariush was originally scheduled to face Jason High at UFC Fight Night 35, but High was replaced by Charlie Brenneman.

April 11, 2014: Loss to Ramsey Nijem

On April 11, 2014, Beneil Dariush lost to Ramsey Nijem by first-round TKO at UFC Fight Night 39.

August 2, 2014: Scheduled to face Anthony Rocco Martin

On August 2, 2014, Beneil Dariush was expected to face Anthony Rocco Martin at UFC 176, but the event was canceled.

October 25, 2014: PPV Debut and Victory

On October 25, 2014, Beneil Dariush made his PPV debut at UFC 179, defeating Carlos Diego Ferreira by unanimous decision.

March 14, 2015: Performance of the Night

On March 14, 2015, Beneil Dariush submitted Daron Cruickshank at UFC 185, earning his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

April 18, 2015: Victory over Jim Miller

On April 18, 2015, Beneil Dariush replaced an injured Paul Felder and faced Jim Miller at UFC on Fox 15, winning by unanimous decision.

August 8, 2015: Controversial Victory over Michael Johnson

On August 8, 2015, Beneil Dariush faced Michael Johnson at UFC Fight Night 73 and won by split decision, a result considered controversial by MMA media outlets.

January 17, 2016: Pulls out of Fight Due to Injury

On January 17, 2016, Beneil Dariush was expected to face Mairbek Taisumov at UFC Fight Night 81, but he pulled out of the fight in early December citing injury.

April 16, 2016: Loss to Michael Chiesa

On April 16, 2016, Beneil Dariush faced Michael Chiesa at UFC on Fox 19 and lost the fight via submission in the second round.

June 4, 2016: Victory over James Vick

On June 4, 2016, Beneil Dariush faced James Vick at UFC 199, replacing an injured Evan Dunham, and won the fight via KO in the first round.

November 5, 2016: Victory Over Rashid Magomedov

On November 5, 2016, Beneil Dariush faced Rashid Magomedov at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale and won the fight via unanimous decision.

March 11, 2017: Loss to Edson Barboza

On March 11, 2017, Beneil Dariush faced Edson Barboza at UFC Fight Night 106 and lost the fight via KO due to a flying knee in the second round.

October 7, 2017: Draw Against Evan Dunham

On October 7, 2017, Beneil Dariush fought Evan Dunham at UFC 216, with the fight ending in a majority draw.

February 14, 2018: Bobby Green Pulled Out of UFC 222

On February 14, 2018, it was announced that Bobby Green was forced to pull out from the UFC 222 event, citing injury.

March 3, 2018: Loss to Alexander Hernandez

On March 3, 2018, Beneil Dariush was scheduled to face Bobby Green at UFC 222. Bobby Green was replaced by Alexander Hernandez. Dariush lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

October 18, 2018: Gruetzemacher Withdraws

On October 18, 2018, it was reported that Chris Gruetzemacher withdrew from the UFC Fight Night 139 event.

November 10, 2018: Victory Over Thiago Moisés

On November 10, 2018, Beneil Dariush was expected to face Chris Gruetzemacher at UFC Fight Night 139. Chris Gruetzemacher withdrew from the event and was replaced by newcomer Thiago Moisés. Dariush won the fight via unanimous decision.

March 9, 2019: Performance of the Night Award

On March 9, 2019, Beneil Dariush faced Drew Dober at UFC Fight Night 146 and won the fight via submission in the second round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

July 13, 2019: Pulls out of Fight with Injury

On July 13, 2019, Beneil Dariush was expected to face Drakkar Klose at UFC Fight Night 155, but on July 7, Dariush pulled out of the fight with an injury.

July 2019: Fight Against Drakkar Klose Canceled

In July 2019, Beneil Dariush was expected to face Drakkar Klose but the bout was canceled due to Dariush pulling out of the fight with an injury.

October 26, 2019: Performance of the Night Award

On October 26, 2019, Beneil Dariush faced Frank Camacho at UFC Fight Night 162 and won the fight via submission in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

March 7, 2020: Performance of the Night Award

On March 7, 2020, Beneil Dariush faced Drakkar Klose at UFC 248, a rescheduling of the bout that was canceled in July 2019. He won the fight via knockout in the second round. This win earned him his fourth Performance of the Night award.

August 8, 2020: Victory Over Scott Holtzman

On August 8, 2020, Beneil Dariush faced Scott Holtzman at UFC Fight Night 174 and won the fight via knockout in round one.

October 4, 2020: Oliveira Pulls Out of Fight

On October 4, 2020, Beneil Dariush was scheduled to meet Charles Oliveira at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana. However, Oliveira pulled out of the fight in early September for undisclosed reasons.

February 6, 2021: Fight of the Night Award

On February 6, 2021, Beneil Dariush had a rematch with Carlos Diego Ferreira at UFC Fight Night 184 and won the fight via split decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

May 15, 2021: Victory Over Tony Ferguson

On May 15, 2021, Beneil Dariush faced Tony Ferguson at UFC 262 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

February 26, 2022: Withdraws from Fight Due to Injury

On February 26, 2022, Beneil Dariush was scheduled to face Islam Makhachev at UFC Fight Night 202. However, on February 12, it was reported that Dariush withdrew from the event due to an ankle injury.

October 22, 2022: Victory Over Mateusz Gamrot

On October 22, 2022, Beneil Dariush faced Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280 and won the bout by unanimous decision.

May 6, 2023: Charles Oliveira Forced Out

On May 6, 2023, Beneil Dariush was scheduled to face Charles Oliveira at UFC 288. However, Oliveira was forced out of the event due to injury.

June 10, 2023: Loss to Charles Oliveira

On June 10, 2023, Beneil Dariush faced Charles Oliveira at UFC 289. Dariush lost the bout in the first round, getting finished with ground and pound.

December 2, 2023: Loss to Arman Tsarukyan

On December 2, 2023, Beneil Dariush faced Arman Tsarukyan at UFC on ESPN 52. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.

June 27, 2024: Forrest Griffin Community Award

On June 27, 2024, Beneil Dariush was chosen to be honored with the 2024 Forrest Griffin Community Award at the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony due to his efforts with the Shlama Foundation and Promise Child Ministries.

January 18, 2025: UFC 311

On January 18, 2025, Beneil Dariush was scheduled to face Renato Moicano at UFC 311. On the same day, Dariush did not compete at the event because Renato Moicano replaced Arman Tsarukyan as the main event due to injury.