Volkanovski: “It’s My Fault” Dariush Never Got His UFC Title Shot

Alexander Volkanovski has admitted he feels partly responsible for Beneil Dariush never receiving a UFC title shot.

Dariush (23-7-1 MMA, 17-7-1 UFC) once built an impressive eight-fight winning streak and was on the verge of title contention. At the same time, Volkanovski was reigning as a dominant featherweight champion and chose to pursue “champ-champ” status, earning two lightweight title opportunities against Islam Makhachev during Dariush’s peak run.

"I really do like Dariush," Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. "I feel for him. ... He should have fought for titles, and that was when I believed I had earned my shot at becoming a double champion. In the end, I took the opportunity that likely would have gone to him.

"He probably would have been the backup or next in line if it wasn’t for me. Honestly, I feel like it’s partly my fault that he never got that title fight. He’s a great guy and absolutely deserved it at the time. But people also said I deserved my chance, and that’s the fight that ended up happening. He was expected to get his opportunity afterward, but then he lost and things started to go downhill."

Dariush’s winning streak was ultimately snapped by Charles Oliveira. Since then, he has lost three of his last four fights. He now looks to bounce back against Quillan Salkilld (11-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 275 this Saturday at RAC Arena in Perth.