Beneil Dariush sent a surge of shockwaves when he secured 8 back-to-back victories, following a a period of 2 losses and a draw. Needless to say, there was something that pulled the lightweight contender out of his rut and pushed him to victory. Well, he claims that it’s all because of his faith.
This pushed the fighting community to wonder about the 35-year-old fighter’s religious inclinements. If you’re also wondering the same, you’re in the right spot. Let’s journey through Dariush’s life and get to know all about his religious beliefs, shall we?
Which religion does Beneil Dariush follow?
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Beneil Dariush is a proud Christian and often talks about his faith in Jesus Christ. He considers that it’s his faith in God and the teachings of Christianity that got him success in the fighting realm. Do you know why he became an avid follower of the religion? In an interview with CBN, he revealed that he got attracted to Christ’s teachings when he was 22 years old. He said, “The thing that drew me to Him was Him… [you] read the scriptures and [see] that He didn’t have the brokenness and all the things that I have that I know are wrong… and then on top of that he is willing to give up his life for us.”
But Jesus never taught fighting, did he? Well, Dariush knows better. He claims that the scriptures can’t be applied universally to every single situation. He confirmed that he understood the difference between turning the other cheek and becoming a savage. And it’s all dependent on the time and scenario. If he’s in the Octagon, he’ll be a savage. Every other time, he would maintain his calm demeanor.
His commitment to his faith has now become his identity. Can we ever imagine Dariush not talking about Christ’s teachings? His spiritual journey has indeed transformed him into a good man and a great fighter. We can say that it’s the reason behind his impressive record of 22 wins, 6 defeats, and 1 draw.
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But where does the lightweight contender originally hail from? His roots lie elsewhere, even though he fights out of California.
Is Beneil Dariush Assyrian?
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Dariush was born in Iran on 6th May 1989. It was a farm in Urmia, a city in the province of Azerbaijan, that welcomed ‘Benny’ into the world. And as far as his ethnic background is concerned, he is indeed an Assyrian. Assyrians are a Semitic group made up of an exclusively Christian population. Well, even this community has had its share of problems.
But Dariush never let it slide. When he defeated Mateusz Gamrot, he said, “I’m sorry Daniel but I got to take a minute, I need to dedicate this fight to my people in Iran. I know you’re struggling, I know you’re fighting for freedom, I know it’s a tough struggle. I want you guys to know we’re praying for you and we love you.” Coming from an Orthodox Christian background in a country dominated by a Muslim population, Dariush is no stranger to conflicts.
The lightweight contender currently fights out of Huntington Beach, California. His family moved to the United States when he was just 9 years old. And this made him an American. Right now, ‘Benny’ lives in Yorba Linda, California, along with his wife, Victoria Vu Dariush, and their two daughters.
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Now, Dariush has focused all of his energy on his faith and the upcoming bout against Renato Moicano at UFC 311. He’s coming off of a 2-fight losing streak. The last time he fought was against Arman Tsarukyan, who defeated him in the first round via ground punches. Before that, Charles Oliveira defeated him by ground and pound in the first round. This time, Dariush desperately needs a win.
Do you think Dariush’s faith can ensure a victory for him at UFC 311? Or will he go on a 3-fight losing streak? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.
What Is Beneil Dariush’s Religion?
