Dariush Misses Weight, Fined 20% Ahead of UFC 322 Fight

UPDATE: In a startling turn of events, lightweight fighter Beneil Dariush has missed weight by 1.2 pounds, leading to a 20 percent fine of his purse ahead of the highly anticipated UFC 322 event. Dariush weighed in at 157.2 pounds for his non-title bout against Benoit Saint Denis at Madison Square Garden on July 15, 2023. The limit for this lightweight contest is 156 pounds.

Despite the setback, officials confirm that the fight will proceed as planned on the main card. The exact amount of Dariush’s fine remains undisclosed, as fighter purses are not public record in New York. This marks the second time in Dariush’s career that he has missed weight; his first infraction occurred in 2020.

The stakes are high at UFC 322 as fans eagerly anticipate not only the Dariush match but also the welterweight title clash featuring former champion Islam Makhachev, who weighed in at 170 pounds for his fight against Jack Della Maddalena. Makhachev is moving up in weight for the first time, aiming to capture a second championship in a different weight class.

Adding to the excitement, former strawweight champion Zhang Weili is also in action, stepping up to challenge flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in a bid to achieve a similar two-weight title feat. Both fighters weighed in at 124.6 pounds for their 125-pound title fight.

As UFC 322 approaches, the drama surrounding Dariush’s weight miss and the potential outcomes of the championship bouts have ignited fervor among fans and analysts alike. Stay tuned for further updates as fight night unfolds at Madison Square Garden!