URGENT UPDATE: Veteran lightweight fighter Beneil Dariush has officially missed weight for his scheduled bout at UFC 322, forfeiting 20 percent of his purse due to a failure to meet the limit. Weighing in at 157.2 pounds on Friday, Dariush was just 1.2 pounds over the 156-pound threshold for non-title fights, as confirmed by the UFC.
Despite this setback, the fight against Benoit Saint Denis will proceed as planned, taking place at the iconic Madison Square Garden on July 15, 2023. An exact figure for Dariush’s fine remains undisclosed, as fighter purses are not public record in New York.
This marks the second time in his career that Dariush (23-6-1) has missed weight, with his first incident occurring in 2020. The implications of this weight miss could impact his standing in a highly competitive division, adding pressure as he steps into the octagon.
In a related event just hours before, former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev weighed in at 170 pounds for his welterweight title fight against Jack Della Maddalena. Makhachev (27-1) is seeking to become the latest two-weight champion in UFC history, having never fought at this higher weight class before.
Additionally, the women’s division sees a monumental clash as Zhang Weili (26-3), the former strawweight champion, moves up to challenge flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (25-4-1). Both fighters weighed in at 124.6 pounds for their upcoming 125-pound title fight, which is generating significant buzz among fans and experts alike.
As fans anticipate these pivotal matchups, the stakes are undeniably high. Dariush’s weight miss could influence not just his future in the sport but also the overall dynamics of the lightweight division.
Stay tuned for live updates and expert analysis as UFC 322 unfolds, showcasing some of the most thrilling talent in mixed martial arts. The excitement is palpable—will Dariush bounce back in the octagon despite this setback? What will be the outcome of Makhachev’s ambitious leap in weight? And can Zhang dethrone Shevchenko in her quest for dual championship glory?
This is a developing story; further updates will follow as the event approaches.
