Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan to face off in UFC showdown in Austin

The highly anticipated Ultimate Fighting Championship event will make its return to Austin for the fifth time this Saturday with UFC on ESPN 52. The event’s headliner will see a sensational battle between lightweight contenders in the glitzy world of mixed martial arts.

Set to take place at the Moody Center at 6 p.m. on ESPN, the main event will feature a five-round brawl between lightweight standouts Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan, both eager to make a strong case for a championship opportunity with their performance.

The 155-pound division has taken center stage in the UFC for the better part of the last decade, with iconic figures such as Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and the current champion, Islam Makhachev.

Both Dariush (22-5-1 MMA, 16-5-1 UFC) and Tsarukyan (20-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) are vying to ascend into this pantheon of greats, aiming to leave an indelible mark by making a compelling case for a title shot based on the outcome of their impending clash.

Expressing his excitement, Tsarukyan shared, “Finally I got a big fight, and I’m so excited. Hopefully after this, I’m going to be in the top five, and I can talk about big fights and about a title fight.”

Their upcoming matchup is a study of two different trajectories. The 27-year-old Tsarukyan has displayed incredible potential since joining the UFC in April 2019, riding an impressive streak of seven victories in his last eight fights. Meanwhile, the more seasoned Dariush, aged 34, currently holds the No. 5 ranking, fueled by his underdog status and an ardent desire to thwart the aspirations of the next generation.

“If I win, I don’t think my ranking will change,” Dariush remarked. “If I lose, I’m definitely going to get dropped quite a bit. But I’m an athlete who loves to compete, and I like to compete against the best people in the world. That’s what motivates me.”

Tsarukyan’s only defeat in the past five years came in a high-stakes UFC main event, where he narrowly missed out on victory via a controversial unanimous decision. Reflecting on that setback, the Armenian-Russian fighter outlined his evolution, which he aims to showcase in the upcoming marquee event. His recent fights have all taken place in relatively empty arenas and with limited spectators, making the return to a packed venue an exhilarating prospect.

“I always like to fight with the crowd because it’s more fun,” Tsarukyan expressed. “It gives me more energy. I’m so excited. With a crowd, it’s a different game.”

Moreover, Dariush shared similar sentiments about the upcoming fight in Austin, a place where he finds inspiration. Having fought in Texas twice before, he looks forward to the passionate fans and the allure of the state’s fight culture, indicating that this environment would fuel his performance.

“I love Texas. I have a lot of friends here. I come here often. To be able to fight in Texas is great. … Something about Texas. I love the Southern hospitality. I love the way people treat each other. I’m looking forward to fighting in front of the fans,” Dariush stated.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: UFC brings top contenders Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan to Austin