UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, lightweight veteran Beneil Dariush has missed weight by 1.2 pounds ahead of his highly anticipated bout at UFC 322, scheduled for July 15, 2023, at Madison Square Garden. Dariush weighed in at 157.2 pounds, exceeding the non-title limit of 156 pounds. As a result, he will forfeit 20 percent of his purse.
Despite the setback, the fight against Benoit Saint Denis (15-3) will proceed as planned, maintaining its spot on the main card. The specific amount of Dariush’s fine remains undisclosed, as fighter purses are not publicly recorded in New York.
This marks the second time in Dariush’s career that he has missed weight, with his first incident occurring in 2020. The implications of this weight miss are significant, as it raises questions about his preparation and readiness for the matchup.
In related news, UFC champion Islam Makhachev is set to make headlines as he weighs in at 170 pounds for his welterweight title fight against Jack Della Maddalena (18-2). Makhachev aims to become the UFC’s latest two-weight champion, making this a pivotal moment in his career.
Additionally, former strawweight champion Zhang Weili (26-3) is moving up to challenge flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (25-4-1) in a bid for a two-division title. Both fighters weighed in at 124.6 pounds for their 125-pound title fight, making this another electrifying matchup for UFC fans.
As the clock ticks down to fight night, fans are eager to see how these developments will unfold. Expect more updates on this evolving story as UFC 322 approaches, with the stakes higher than ever for all fighters involved. Stay tuned for the latest developments and analysis in the lead-up to this exciting event.
