Getty Cory Sandhagen (left), Islam Makhachev (right)
No. 3 ranked UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen said he believes there are two names at lightweight who can dethrone Islam Makhachev.
Beneil Dariush and Justin Gaethje, two of the most dangerous fighters in the division, could beat Makhachev and take his title of champion, Sandhagen said in a March 30 interview with Sportskeeda’s James Lynch.
Cory Sandhagen Praises Beneil Darush
“I think [Beneil Dariush] will win that fight,” Sandhagen told Lynch when asked who he thought could topple Makhavchev, who beat Alexander Volkanovski back in February. “I honestly think that [Dariush] may be one of the only guys to beat [Makhachev] in [the lightweight division].”
First, though, Dariush is scheduled to face Charles Oliveira at UFC 288 in May. Oliveira — who is currently ranked No.1 at lightweight — poses a solid threat, but a victory for Dariush would extend his win streak to eight, and more than likely guarantee him the next shot at Makhachev.
Dariush is a “little pissed” that he’s had to wait as long as he has to fight Oliveira, according to a March 27 interview with the Schmo. “We should have done this fight in early March. I should be chilling right now, spending time with my baby,” he said.
Sandhagen had one more name on the tip of his tongue. “[Justin Gaethje] is taking a run at the title too, and Gaethje’s looking better and better [every time we see him], so yeah, that’s who I got beating him, but I really want to see [Dariush] fighting for the belt,” he said.
Gaethje just recently threw himself back into title contention with a barn burner performance against the No.6-ranked Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286 on March 18. Gaethje has a background with Makhachev, having fought and lost to Makhachev’s friend, coach and mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, in the main event of UFC 254 in October 2020.
Gaethje told TMZ that he thought he could beat Makhachev.
“I think [Islam is] a hard fight for anybody. Just create damage. I’d have to fight the perfect fight,” Gaethje said in the March 30 interview, adding, “I think I can knock him out. I think I can knock anybody out with the power that I possess.
The History of Dariush vs. Makhachev
Dariush and Makhachev were slated to fight on Feb 26, 2022. The bout was canceled, with Dariush suffering an ankle injury and pulling out. Makhachev instead faced Bobby Green on the same date, and defeated Green by KO/TKO in the very first round.
It was this victory over Green that propelled Makhachev into a title shot with Oliveira. The decision to give Makhachev the title shot was contentious, with many fans feeling Makhachev did not deserve the opportunity with his last few victories being over opponents outside the lightweight top-five.
Dariush and Makhachev fought on the same night in their next appearances at UFC 280 on October 10, 2022. This time, Makhachev defeated Oliveira to claim the lightweight title, and Dariush dispatched Mateusz Gamrot in a hard-fought decision.
With the champion expected to fight twice this year, a victory for Dariush at UFC 288 in May could see him fight again in the late summer or winter months. This timeline puts him on a collision path with Makhachev, who is rumored to fight again this October.