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

UPDATE: A dramatic weight miss has struck the UFC 322 card just hours before the highly anticipated fight. Lightweight veteran Beneil Dariush has officially missed the weight limit by 1.2 pounds, weighing in at 157.2 pounds for his non-title bout against Benoit Saint Denis at Madison Square Garden today, July 15, 2023.

As a result, Dariush will forfeit 20 percent of his fight purse, an action confirmed by officials earlier today. Although the exact dollar amount remains undisclosed due to New York law regarding fighter purses, the financial penalty is a significant blow for the seasoned fighter.

The fight is still set to take place as planned on the UFC 322 main card. This marks the second time in Dariush’s career that he has missed weight, with his first incident occurring in 2020. The weight miss adds an unexpected twist to a card already brimming with excitement.

Adding to the stakes, fellow competitor Islam Makhachev is making headlines as he steps up to fight in the welterweight division for the first time, weighing in at 170 pounds against Jack Della Maddalena. Makhachev aims to become the latest two-weight champion in UFC history, an accolade that could shift the landscape of multiple divisions.

In another high-profile confrontation, former strawweight champion Zhang Weili faces flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, with both fighters weighing in at 124.6 pounds for their 125-pound title bout. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Weili attempts to follow Makhachev’s path to dual championship glory.

Fans are eagerly awaiting the results of UFC 322, with Dariush’s weight miss adding an unexpected layer of drama to the event. As the clock ticks down to fight time, the implications of today’s developments could resonate across the UFC landscape for weeks to come.

This situation highlights the immense pressure fighters face to meet weight limits, a challenge that can impact not just their financial earnings but also their reputations and career trajectories. UFC 322 promises to deliver thrilling action, but the weight miss serves as a reminder of the thin line fighters walk in preparation for competition.

Stay tuned for live updates and results as the action unfolds at UFC 322, where every moment counts and the stakes are at an all-time high.