Beneil Dariush Dominates, And Nearly Submits Tony Ferguson At UFC 262
Sad to say, El Cucuy’s time at the top has come…
The UFC returns to Houston, Texas for UFC 262 tonight, May 15, 2021, where the vacant UFC lightweight championship is up for grabs between top ranked contenders Charles Oliveira (3) and Michael Chandler (4).
The only champion the division has seen in three years in Khabib Nurmagomedov. Now, since he vacated his title, we get to see ‘Do Bronx’, who’s on an eight-fight win streak with seven finishes, fight for his first world title opposing former six-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler, who’s on a three-fight KO streak.
Co-headlining the event comes another bout between top ten lightweight contenders, this time former interim champion Tony Ferguson (5) and the surging Beneil Dariush (9), who’s on a six-fight win streak.
Ferguson was owner to the longest win streak in lightweight history (12) up until this time last year. He was slated against Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC lightweight championship at UFC 249, but due to Covid-19, Nurmagomedov flew back to Russia, leaving Ferguson to face Justin Gaethje for the interim title.
Of course, Gaethje ended Ferguson’s legendary win streak that night, and Charles Oliveira handed him his second-straight defeat in December. In return, Nurmagomedov surpassed Ferguson’s win streak by defeating Gaethje at UFC 254.
‘El Cucuy’ didn’t win a single round of those fights, he landed a vicious uppercut at the end of round two that nearly knocked Gaethje out, but that’s the only light he’s seen since his last win, which was over Donald Cerrone in June of 2019.
Oliveira was coming into their fight on a seven-fight win, and finish streak. Now he faces Beneil Dariush, who’s on a six-fight win streak with four finishes coming in.
Tony Ferguson (25-5) vs. Beneil Dariush (20-4-1)
Official Result: Beneil Dariush def. Tony Ferguson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Round 1
Dariush looks incredibly focused to start this fight. He’s pressing forward, landing good combinations with his hands, as well as some nice leg kicks. Ferguson is also looking sharp in defending Dariush’s early takedown attempts, but hasn’t gotten much offense going.
Dariush secures a double leg takedown, while Ferguson tries to wrap him up in a triangle. He’s unable to secure it due to his right leg being stuck, but has Dariush wrapped up for a couple minutes. The streaking Iranian remained on top for the rest of the round.
Round 2
Dariush secures another takedown quickly once round two starts, but Ferguson has a D’Arce choke wrapped up. The problem for him is Dariush is in his guard, keeping him from being able to get the correct leverage on the choke.
About a minute later and Dariush pops his head out and remains on top.
Midway through the round Ferguson creates a scramble and nearly gets to his feet, but Dariush stays on him and wraps his leg up. Dariush secures an inverted heel hook and cranks on it for a hot minute, getting a couple severe facial reactions out of Ferguson.
Ferguson is able to kick his way out of it, but not without an immense amount of damage being done.
Dariush ends the round in Ferguson’s half guard.
Round 3
Dariush again secures another takedown at the start of round two. He starts by coming in and securing a double leg, with Ferguson wrapping him up in a guillotine choke. Dariush then slammed Ferguson on the mat and remained on top for the remainder of a very lackluster round.
Tony Ferguson has now lost three in a row, after opening up his UFC career winning 15 of his first 16 bouts with the promotion. On the other hand, Beneil Dariush is now on a seven-fight win streak coming off the biggest victory of his entire career.
