Beneil Dariush is an Iranian lightweight fighter currently signed to the UFC. He is a black belt in Brazilian Jui Jitsu under Bruno Paulista and trains out of Kings MMA in Huntington Beach, California. He is highly accomplished in BJJ, having won the the No Gi World championship at blue, purple, and brown belt as well as a silver medalist at the Mundials in the blue, purple, and brown belt divisions. He claims to have competed in over fifty jui jitsu tournaments, all of which he placed in the top three. Of his six professional MMA wins, five have been finishes including three submissions. 

Dariush began his professional career in 2009 with a split decision win. He would compete once a year over the following three years, compiling a perfect 4-0 record. In late 2012, he was promoted to black belt in BJJ after only training for five years. He decided that he would not be able to compete at the highest levels of both Gi jui jitsu and MMA so he decided to pursue MMA alone for financial reasons. He would pick up two more first round finishes in 2013 to move his record to 6-0. 

 
In late 2013, Benny received the call that he had been signed by the UFC. He was to fill in as a replacement against Jason High at UFC Fight Night 35. Less than two weeks before the fight, High had to pull out due to injury and he was replaced by UFC veteran, Charlie Brenneman. He would win by first round submission due to a rear naked choke.

Dariush returned four months later to face Ramsey Nijem at UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round. For his third fight with the promotion, Dariush faced Tony Martin at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos. He won the fight via submission in the second round.

Dariush made his PPV debut at UFC 179 in Rio de Janeiro against undefeated Carlos Diego Ferreira. Dariush had fought once in Brazil previously, where he defeated a Brazilian opponent (though with a 1-4 record), and has trained for this bout with Fabricio Werdum and Rafael dos Anjos, among others. Dariush won the fight via unanimous decision. He would make it 3 straight when he faced Daron Cruickshank at UFC 185 finishing him by submission in the second round also earning a performance of the night bonus.