Charles Oliveira confirms returns at UFC 288 against Beneil Dariush
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira confirmed that he will make his return at UFC 288 against Beneil Dariush.
Oliveira took to his social media on Monday to confirm that he will fight Dariush at UFC 288, which takes place on May 6 at a location and venue that have yet to be confirmed. Dariush previously hinted that the UFC was targeting this matchup, and now Oliveira has made it all but official that it will finally go down.
“Now it’s official, on May 6th let’s get it! UFC 288, the lightweight lion is hungry and ready to hunt,” Oliveira wrote on his Instagram.
Oliviera is the No. 1 ranked contender in the UFC lightweight division. The last time we saw him in the Octagon was last fall at UFC 280, when he was submitted by Islam Makhachev in a vacant title fight. Before that loss, Oliveira had won 11 straight fights in a row against the best lightweights in the sport.
Dariush is ranked at No. 4 in the weight class right now. He has been red hot as of late, having won his last eight fights in a row, including a notable win over Mateusz Gamrot in his last fight. Dariush has been wanting a title shot for a long time, and if he beats Oliveira, you’d have to imagine he gets the next shot.
Overall, this should be an excellent fight between two of the best grapplers in the UFC lightweight division who also have capable striking techniques. The betting odds are already out for this fight, with Dariush as a small -120 betting favorite and Oliveira as a short +100 underdog. Considering Oliveira is a former champion, there might be some value in him as an underdog, but Dariush has been in terrific form over the last few years and it’s not surprising to see him slightly favored to get his hand raised in this matchup.
Who do you think wins this lightweight bout at UFC 288 between Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush?
