In the co-main event of UFC 262, we saw a big matchup in the lightweight division. Former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson (25-5) was taking on the surging top contender Beneil Dariush (20-4-1).
Over the last decade, Tony Ferguson has been one of the best fighters in the UFC not just in the lightweight division. From 2013 to 2019, El Cucuy won a staggering 12 fights in a row in the UFC‘s most stacked weight class.
Ferguson rose all the way to the top capturing the interim lightweight championship. However, the undisputed title always evaded him. Ferguson entered UFC 262 in unfamiliar territory coming off of back-to-back losses for the first time in his career.
Snapping that losing streak wasn’t going to be easy tonight. Beneil Dariush has quietly been rising up the UFC‘s lightweight ranks. Dariush had won six fights in a row coming into tonight.
He also possesses a style that could give El Cucuy some problems inside the octagon. The biggest question mark coming into UFC 262 was which Tony Ferguson we would get. Would we get the old El Cucuy or would we get the Tony Ferguson we saw get dominated by Charles Oliveira?
UFC 262 Recap
Round 1
The UFC 262 co-main event kicks off with a brief touch of the gloves. Ferguson pushes forward and Dariush lands a clean left hook. Dariush pushes forward with big shots including a body kick.
Lots of forward pressure from Dariush and he lands another big left hand. Another huge left for Dariush, but Ferguson is taking them well. More pressure and big shots from Dariush and he chains them into a takedown.
Ferguson starts trying to attack from his back, but the pressure is heavy for Dariush. El Cucuy is trying to work a triangle, but Dariush defends well. Back to the full guard and big shots are landing for Dariush.
Dariush is looking to pass and Ferguson is looking to defend from his back. Ferguson works his way to the fence, but Dariush’s top pressure is so heavy here. Ferguson tries to escape, but Dariush is all over him and the fight stays grounded.
More big shots from the top from Dariush. Ferguson tries to escape a couple of times, but Dariush holds him in place. Dominant first round for Beneil Dariush and he’s up 1-0 at UFC 262.
Round 2
The former interim UFC champion needs to get it going as we enter the second round. Ferguson opens the second with a lot of movement, but Dariush lands some big shots.
Dariush lands a takedown, but he lands in Ferguson’s d’arce choke. Unfortunately for El Cucuy, he doesn’t have the correct position. Dariush is remaining calm here and he pops his head out.
Big shots raining down from Beneil Dariush. Ferguson is trying to counter off his back, but this is all Dariush here. Dariush starts to pass the guard and how he’s in halfguard.
Ferguson uses a sweep to get top position briefly. However, another sweep from Dariush has Ferguson in a compromising position. Dariush locks up a deep heel hook and Ferguson is in deep trouble.
Ferguson is in pain, but he’s not tapping. Dariush let’s it go and it’s amazing that El Cucuy survived. More heavy pressure from Dariush to end the round and it’s 2-0 Dariush here at UFC 262.
Round 3
Entering the final round here at UFC 262 and it’s going to take a miracle from Tony Ferguson. Big body kick for Dariush and Dariush shoots in deep for a takedown. Ferguson defends for a second, but Dariush slams him to the ground.
Four minutes left in the fight and Ferguson is in massive trouble here. Dariush is in north-south and he starts throwing some body shots. Not a lot of action here as Dariush is just holding him in place here.
Halfway through the round and nothing much is happening. The crowd is getting restless here in the final round. Ferguson is trying to use the fence, but he’s not going anywhere. Lots of boos from the crowd with 90 seconds left in the round.
Ferguson tries to escape, but Dariush just rolls with him. Under a minute left and Ferguson is trying, but nothing is really happening. The final round sounds and there’s not going to be a surprise with this result at UFC 262.
Beneil Dariush def. Tony Ferguson by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)