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

BREAKING: UFC lightweight veteran Beneil Dariush has missed weight by 1.2 pounds, leading to a 20 percent fine on his purse ahead of the highly anticipated UFC 322 event. The weigh-in occurred today, October 20, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York, where Dariush tipped the scales at 157.2 pounds for his non-title fight against Benoit Saint Denis.

Despite the weight miss, the bout will proceed as scheduled on the UFC 322 main card, a relief for fans eagerly awaiting the clash. The specific dollar amount of Dariush’s fine remains undisclosed due to state regulations in New York regarding fighter purses.

This marks the second time in Dariush’s career that he has failed to make weight, having previously encountered the issue back in 2020. His record now stands at 23-6-1, while Saint Denis enters the octagon with a record of 15-3.

In a notable shift in divisions, Islam Makhachev, the former lightweight champion, has also made headlines by weighing in at 170 pounds for his welterweight title fight against Jack Della Maddalena (who holds a record of 18-2). Makhachev is aiming to become the UFC’s latest two-weight champion, marking a significant moment in his career.

On the women’s side, Zhang Weili is also in pursuit of double champion status as she prepares to face Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight title. Both fighters weighed in at 124.6 pounds ahead of their 125-pound title fight, adding more excitement to an already stacked card.

Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how these developments will impact the outcomes of the fights at UFC 322. As the event draws near, all eyes will be on the fighters competing under immense pressure, especially Dariush, whose weight miss adds an extra layer of scrutiny to his performance.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.