Beneil Dariush has announced he will be taking time away from fighting following his TKO loss to Quillan Salkilld in the co-main event of UFC Perth on Saturday, a defeat that extended a difficult recent stretch for the veteran lightweight.
Dariush posted a brief update on Instagram after the fight, reassuring fans about his immediate physical condition while making clear he needs a break.
“I’m good friends. I have no injuries and I appreciate everyone checking on me. I’ll be taking some time off and heading over to Sydney tomorrow for the week. God bless.”
The 36-year-old had started the fight well, dropping Salkilld in the early going, before the undefeated Perth native recovered and stopped Dariush in the first round. The loss was Dariush’s fourth knockout defeat in his last five fights, all of them coming in the opening round. His only win during that span was a unanimous decision over Renato Moicano at UFC 317 last June.
Dariush carries a 23-8-1 overall record and a 17-8-1 mark in the UFC, having spent years as one of the more respected names in the lightweight division. His run of form has raised broader questions about his future in the sport, though he has offered no indication beyond the need for rest at this stage.