Beneil Dariush is just happy to be part of UFC 322.
Dariush’s lightweight bout vs. Benoit Saint Denis on Nov. 15 in New York was initially part of the prelims but later promoted to the main card. The fight Dariush (23-6-1 MMA, 17-6-1 UFC) vs. Saint Denis (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) replaced was Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira, which many found underserving of a spot on the pay-per-view.
“I didn’t realize this was such a big thing,” Dariush told MMA Junkie. “I’ll be honest with you: As far as the UFC goes putting me there, obviously grateful, and I recognize that they recognize me, so that’s great.”
Dariush gave props to both Nickal and Vieira and how, in his eyes, they’d both be deserving of a main card spot.
“But I’ve got to tell you: Rodolfo Vieira was like the guy in jiu-jitsu when I was coming up,” Dariush said. “When I was a purple belt and brown belt, he was the man. He was submitting champions that I looked up to, he was beating people that I was saying no way, this guy is going to beat those guys. So, Rodolfo Vieira, I view him in a very high light. Then same thing with Bo Nickal. I’m a big fan of wrestling and what Penn State does. But what’s special about Bo is his style is actually kind of outside the Penn State style.
“He had a very funky style – not quite like (Ben) Askren, but he definitely had his own style. So, I was a fan of him, too. When they put them up there, I had no gripes about it. Not a big deal for me. I know some fighters get bothered by that, but it doesn’t change how much I get paid. It just changes 30 minutes as far as when I fight. Either way, I’m stoked to be on this card. I’m stoked to be fighting in Madison Square Garden, and I’m just excited to fight a tough guy like Benoit.”
