Beneil Dariush had been feeling like the odd man out in the UFC’s lightweight title picture. The veteran was supposed to face Islam Makhachev last year in a bout that would have determined the number one contender in the division.
However, he was forced out of the bout with injury and had to stay on the sidelines for a prolonged amount of time. While he was out, he saw Makhachev get booked to face Charles Oliveira for the vacant title later on this year (vacant because Oliveira missed weight for his most recent title defence).
Later it was announced that Dariush would be facing Mateusz Gamrot.