Beneil Dariush thinks Charles Oliveira is being heavily underestimated against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317.

Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) meets Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) for the vacant lightweight title in the June 28 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).

Oliveira is being counted out by oddsmakers, pundits, and fellow fighters, but Dariush points out an aspect of Oliveira's game that could pose more problems for Topuria than many think.

"I think it's a lot closer than people think," Dariush told Submission Radio. "I think Charles is really tough. He's got a good chin, he’s got good jiu-jitsu, he's got great striking, and what's going to be difficult for Ilia is Charles' striking is, I think, really dangerous against good boxers. The way he throws his knees, the way he clinches – and those are things you can do to slow down Ilia.

"Because, for example, a good boxer will dip low to fake or feint to get in on the inside, and that's times where Charles will just raise his knee and mess with your timing or throw a kick – things like that. So I think the fight's a lot closer. I understand why people are favoring Ilia, and I think if you had to ask me, I probably would favor him as well, but I don't think it’s going to be like, 'Oh, he’s going to walk through Charles' like everybody thinks."

Oliveira is the UFC's all-time leader in both finishes and submission wins. However, on the flip side, Dariush sees Topuria's ground game also being a threat.

"Charles is always dangerous," Dariush said. "Here's what I would say: I know Ilia's jiu-jitsu is very good because when he fought Ryan Hall, he did really well. Even if the fight was on the ground or he was throwing ground and pound, he did fine. The fact that he was able to stuff Bryce (Mitchell)'s takedowns and eventually turn it around, and then when he was on top, he was able to just get into positions really quickly.

"Bryce has good jiu-jitsu. I don't care what people say – the guy can grapple. You can not be a fan of his, but you can't say he's not a good grappler. He's a good grappler. I feel like he fought other grapplers, and he just shuts them down. I think Ilia's grappling is very, very good, and if anything, it could be considered underrated."

Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC) competes on the same card as Topuria vs. Oliveira when he takes on Renato Moicano (20-6-1 MMA, 12-6 UFC) on the UFC 317 main card.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Beneil Dariush: Charles Oliveira 'really dangerous against boxers'

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