Beneil Dariush has a different type of focus these days.

The Kings MMA standout isn't concerned with generating a hype train or getting caught up in the tangled politics of a title picture. The only thing Dariush cares about is stepping into the Octagon and bringing the ruckus against another competitor who wants to bring that very ruckus right back at him.

Kill or be killed. That's the type of challenges that get Dariush out of bed in the morning.

As it would turn out the top-ranked lightweight has precisely that caliber of challenge waiting for him on Saturday night as he'll face Edson Barboza at UFC Fight Night 106 in Fortaleza, Brazil. The universally feared leg kick machine and precision striker is one of the most dangerous opponents in the current 155-pound shuffle, and nothing could make Dariush happier.

"I think it's exciting because he has to be one hundred percent focused," Dariush told FloCombat. "I'm going to be one hundred percent focused as well. He's going to try to be aggressive and I'm going to be aggressive too. If he wants to come forward I'll do the same thing and we'll see where it goes from there."

Dariush will enter the bout coming off back-to-back victories over quality opposition, and a win over Barboza will undoubtedly put him on the radar to be a potential title contender. That said, with the Khabib Nurmagomedov weight cutting trainwreck scratching his bout with Tony Ferguson this past weekend, and the lightweight title picture descending into a deeper state of chaos, Dariush wants no part of that drama.

The only thing he wants are solid scraps against top-notch fighters, and as long as he keeps fighting the way he has for the past three years they will surely keep coming.

"I don't really think about the title shot too much anymore," Dariush said. "I just want to fight the best guys in the world. If the title comes it comes. If it doesn't it doesn't. I'm not too concerned with that. Just being in the Octagon is a blessing. When I retire I want to know I fought the best guys in my division and never said no to a fight. I want more fights like James Vick. That guy is awesome.

"Rashid Magomedov is an amazing fighter. Now I have Edson Barboza and he's another amazing fighter. As long as I can keep getting guys like this then I don't care if there is a metal belt or not."

Watch full interview below: