The co-main event of UFC 289 featured a crucial lightweight title eliminator between a former champion and a rising contender. The most anticipated fight on the card for many, Charles Oliveira vs Beneil Dariush delivered while it lasted.
Charles Oliveira comes into the fight as the UFC’s all-time finish leader with 19 finishes, 16 by submission and 3 by KO. He lost his last fight for the vacant lightweight title to Islam Makhachev, but had been a dominant champion before losing his title due to a weight miss. His 11-fight win streak is tied for the 12th longest in UFC history, including wins over many of the current top lightweights. Oliveira has a 33-9 record (21-9 UFC) and will look to re-enter title conversations with a win.
Beneil Dariush is on his own impressive winning streak, picking up wins in his last 8. Dariush is coming off dominant unanimous decision wins over Tony Ferguson and Mateusz Gamrot in his last 2. He looks to finally secure a title shot against the war-tested former champion in Oliveira, and feels that he can’t be denied one with a win. Dariush comes in with a 22-3-1 record (16-4-1 UFC) and has the biggest fight of his career ahead of him.
Charles Oliveira Returns in Style
Both men came out hard in the first round, with a quick clinch that led to Oliveira pulling Dariush into his guard. The two stayed there for most of the round with Oliveira looking for submissions off his back, attempting a leg lock. Dariush was content staying in Oliveira’s guard, and attempted to land some hard ground and pound until the two separated and returned to their feet.
A big head kick by Oliveira followed, pushing Dariush back toward the cage and putting him off balance. Charles pounced on Dariush with a flurry of punches, landing a flush right hand while Dariush was backing up that buckled his knees. Dariush fell against the cage and was hit with another massive right hand that dropped him, forcing him to grab Charles’ legs to stay safe. The men then scrambled with Oliveira attempting to take the back and Dariush spinning to his back to avoid the back take. From there, Charles rolled him on his side and landed at least 13 unanswered shots, forcing the ref to step in.
The win now puts Oliveira right back into title contention with a potential rematch with Islam Makhachev on the horizon. Charles added to his record with another finish, making it 20 overall with 9 coming in the first round. Multiple top UFC fighters reacted to Oliveira’s performance, including Charles himself:
UFC Fighters React
What did everyone think of Oliveira’s performance? Let me know in the comments below.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
