Beneil Dariush faced off against Mateuz Gamrot last night in a grappling heavy 3 rounds. After he was declared winner by decision he delivered a somewhat surprising speech to a predominantly Muslim crowd in Abu Dhabi.
Dariush resides in America, but was born and raised on a farm in Iran. He is a Christian of Assyrian descent. He and his parents left Iran immigrating to America when they were kids.
He is also a devout Christian – something that’s relatively rare in Iran which has been under the Shah regime before Dariush was even born.
Dariush dedicated his bout to the people of Iran who are struggling for their freedom in his octagon speech.
“My people in Iran, I know you’re struggling, I know you’re fighting for your freedom…”
Iran protests just entered fourth week. Workers went on strike and street clashes erupted across Iran as protests over the death of Mahsa Amini entered a fourth week in defiance of a bloody crackdown.
Anger flared after the 22-year-old Iranian-Kurd’s death on September 16, three days after she was arrested by “morality police” for an alleged breach of Iran’s strict dress code for women.
An investigation found Amini died of a longstanding illness rather than “blows” to the head, Iran said on Friday, despite her family reportedly saying she had previously been healthy.
“I’m sorry, Dana, but I got to take a minute. I need to dedicate this fight for 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. 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.”
DC followed that up with some technical talk and even asked Dariush if he has a response to being skipped over for the belt basically.
” I don’t have the answer for this. But I will tell you one thing. I’m not a beggar. I’ve done everything I need to do. You said fight in here. Whoever you put in front of me, I fight whoever. Here’s what I will tell you. My crown will come from my lord and savior.”