The UFC is coming back to Texas on December 2 at the Moody Center in Austin. This event will mark the fifth visit of the premier MMA promotion to the city. Headlining the fight night will be the exceptionally skilled lightweight contenders Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan.
In addition to the Dariush vs. Tsarukyan showdown, the main card will showcase five more bouts, with four of them highlighting clashes between athletes positioned on the UFC’s media-generated rankings. The co-main event features a bout between fellow lightweights Dan Hooker and Bobby Green.
Currently holding the No. 4 spot in the UFC lightweight division, Beneil Dariush is coming off a first-round TKO loss to former champion Charles Oliveira. However, he previously enjoyed an impressive eight-fight winning streak, defeating notable opponents such as Tony Ferguson and Mateusz Gamrot.
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Facing him is the dynamic and up-and-coming contender, Arman Tsarukyan. The 27-year-old gained attention when he gave current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev a formidable challenge in his short-notice promotional debut in 2019. Ranked eighth in the official standings, the Armenian-Russian fighter has secured consecutive victories over Damir Ismagulov and Joaquim Silva in his recent performances.
This matchup sets the stage for a clash between an established top contender and an emerging force seeking to elevate his status through the UFC lightweight rankings. Let us have a look at their stats head-to-head for a better understanding of their matchup.
Beneil Dariush vs. Arman Tsarukyan stats
Stats | Beneil Dariush | Arman Tsarukyan |
---|---|---|
Wins | 22 | 20 |
Losses | 5 | 3 |
Height | 5 ft 10 in | 5 ft 7 in |
Division | Lightweight | Lightweight |
Reach | 72 in | 72.5 in |
Age | 34 | 27 |
Beneil Dariush vs. Arman Tsarukyan prediction
This one is expected to be a close matchup, as both of them are top contenders in the lightweight division. Both Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan are top-class strikers in the game. So, the fans can expect a series of well-connected shots from either of the fighters.
Tsarukyan is running high on confidence as he comes off two back-to-back wins. His advantage lies in his speed. Fans are expecting him to get the better of a relatively older Dariush. However, experience in any sport is something that you cannot underestimate. Before losing to former UFC champion Charles Oliveira earlier this year, Dariush was on an 8-win streak.