John McCarthy's Brutally Honest Quote On How UFC Views Beneil Dariush
Former renowned referee and current Bellator color commentator "Big" John McCarthy has given an honest take on how the UFC brass feels about Beneil Dariush.
This Saturday night, Dariush will be featured in a pivotal lightweight clash. He'll be taking on former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira. The bout will serve as the co-main event of UFC 289 inside Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Dariush has said he's been promised a UFC lightweight title shot if he defeats "do Bronx." Despite the "guarantee," McCarthy isn't convinced that Dariush is looked at as a marketable fighter for the UFC. Taking to the "Weighing In" podcast, McCarthy shared his opinion on where Dariush stands.
(via Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
"I think there's certain guys that based upon having the 'It' factor and everything as far as personality and the ability to fight that the UFC is gonna give multiple chances to," McCarthy said. "I don't think that Beneil is that guy. That's why we're talking about him the way we are because he is that good and he doesn't have that personality that just explodes, and UFC, it's easy for them to market and everything."
McCarthy went on to say the UFC looks at certain athletes and move to push them more than others because of their exciting fighting styles and popularity.
The former MMA referee pointed out that Dariush is on an eight-fight winning streak and it's taken him this long to emerge in the public eye because he doesn't have the "It" factor in the eyes of the UFC's decision makers.
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