UFC Fighter Beneil Dariush Fights for the Glory of God
By Movieguide® Contributor
In a sport with few outspoken Christians, Iranian-American UFC fighter Beneil Dariush is confident about his faith and uses his platform to share the gospel with the world.
In a recent interview with CBN, Dariush shared why he is outspoken about his faith and how he reconciles fighting with Jesus’ teachings.
Dariush came to know the Lord when he was 22.
“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.”
Because Dariush has made a career out of fighting, he understands that some may wonder if he has truly given everything to the Lord based on Jesus’ teaching to ‘turn the other cheek’ in Matthew 5:39.
Dariush knows the importance of this teaching but understands it as something that is not intended for all situations, in the same way that the Bible calls us to be a leader in some situations and a servant in others.
“I understand what it means to turn the other cheek and when the time is right you just [have] to know the difference,” Dariush said. “We do what God tells us to do, so if I have to serve and turn the other cheek, I will. If I have to be a savage, I’ll be a savage.”
To fight in a God-honoring way, Dariush makes sure to check his mentality. Before he was a believer, Dariush would step into the octagon thinking “’I’m not going to lose, I’m going to win,’ [but] things have changed a lot since then.” Now when Dariush walks into a fight he thinks about the humanity of his opponent.
“[I] look at the person in front of [me] that [I’m] going to be fighting—same dream as [me], probably has a family just like [me], trying to support them, trying to make a life for himself. I have to just recognize that I’m in the battlefield and the same people I’m battling I’m supposed to love.”
Ultimately, Dariush focuses on the great commission: to make disciples of all nations.
Dariush capitalizes on the platform he currently has, frequently sharing a clear message of the gospel after the fight. Following a recent fight, Dariush shared a message of hope to his brothers and sisters in Iran who have been fighting for freedom.
“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. Let me tell you one more thing, it may be the most important thing you’ll ever hear. There is true freedom. A freedom no one can take from you in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Don’t ever forget that. If you remember one thing I say, remember that.”
In sharing his Christian faith with his majority Islamic home country, Dariush has received harsh pushback. Yet, some in the Muslim community appreciate his desire to spread hope, partially agreeing with his message.
Dariush will use his platform to spread the gospel as long as he fights. Once he retires from the UFC, he anticipates becoming a missionary to continue his call to make the name of Jesus known.
Movieguide® previously reported on Dariush’s faith:
UFC fighter Beneil Dariush recently defeated Mateusz Gamrot in a unanimous decision win for his eighth Octagon victory in a row.
Before his fight with Gamrot, Dariush hadn’t appeared in the Octagon for over a year. Despite his break, Dariush won the fight soundly.
The Iranian-born American MMA fighter dedicated the win to his native family in Iran, but also took time to point people to true freedom.
“I’m sorry Daniel but I got to take a minute, I need to dedicate this fight to my people in Iran,” he said. “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.”
“Let me tell you one more thing,” he continued. “This might be the most important thing you’ll ever hear: there is true freedom, a Freedom that no one can take from you in the name of Jesus Christ, the son of God. Don’t ever forget that. If you remember one thing I say, remember that.”
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