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Charles Oliveira dominated Beneil Dariush at UFC 289, winning by TKO with just under a minute remaining in the opening round.
This battle of top-ranked lightweights was supposed to be Dariush’s crowning moment. He entered having won his last eight fights, and this was the last victory needed before getting a title shot against Islam Makhachev. But plans changed on fight night when Oliveira imposed his will upon Dariush (22-5-1), connecting with a head kick that wobbled him, then finished the fight with precise striking.
“I went hunting,” says Oliveira, speaking through a translator. “That’s what I said I was going to do, and that’s what I did. I wanted to kick him in the head. Once I did, I knew I’d get some straight shots.”
With the win, Oliveira (34–9, 1 NC) has now emerged victorious in 12 of his last 13 bouts. The lone blemish is his loss last October to Makhachev, where he was outclassed on the ground and forced to tap. Saturday marked Oliveira’s first fight since that loss, and he entered as an underdog against Dariush.
“I like that I was an underdog,” says Oliveira. “That means I’m making money for people. If you believe in me and back me up, I’m going to make people money.”
Before the loss to Makhachev, the last time Oliveira had tasted defeat was 2017. He embraced the chance to respond to the loss, especially after he was written off by some in the sport as a true contender for the belt. His emotions welled and burst during the victory celebration in the Octagon.
“I am always so focused, but I couldn’t control it here,” says Oliveira. “That is what happened after I won. I have fought very hard to be here. It was like a scene from a movie, and I’ll never forget it.
“I am happy to represent Brazil and all of those who support me. This is global. This is worldwide. When I have my hand raised, it’s not just my hand in the air. When you dedicate yourself and fight and compete and win, all our arms are raised.”
The 289 card was closed out by the great Amanda Nunes, who pieced Irene Aldana apart in what equated to a five-round sparring session. Nunes announced her retirement after the victory, and Oliveira was honored to watch her compete one last time.
“I made sure to watch,” says Oliveira. “I have all the respect in the world for Amanda. Not only was she double champ, she lost the belt and then won it back. She deserves to retire in peace.”
Oliveira is in a similar spot—he lost his lightweight title and is seeking to reclaim it. He has a monstrous obstacle in front of him in Makhachev, but Oliveira is no stranger to overcoming adversity.
“Makhachev doesn’t know what he’s in for,” says Oliveira. “But I’ll tell him—this lion is very hungry.”
Amanda Nunes celebrates the end of her career at UFC 289
Nunes won her final fight Saturday, crushing Aldana in another successful defense of her bantamweight title. She retires as a double champion (likely taking the women’s featherweight belt into retirement with her), firmly cementing her status as one of the greatest to ever grace the cage.
The list of accolades is long and distinguished for Nunes (23–5). She is a two-time bantamweight champion and the first woman to hold belts in two weight classes. She has the most wins in UFC women’s title fights and the most victories in UFC women’s history.
Perhaps no accomplishment is greater, however, than the way she removed and replaced Ronda Rousey as the greatest woman to ever compete in the UFC. Rousey will forever be a pioneer in the sport, but Nunes sent her into retirement in 2016 with an emphatic one-sided performance.
Julianna Peña attempted to lure Nunes back into the cage for one more fight, but Nunes was content to end her career after the fight Saturday. There is a reason why Peña, who sat cage-side, never stepped into the Octagon after Nunes had her hand raised. It would have been pointless to promote a fight that wasn’t going to happen. The chances of Peña getting Nunes back into the cage are extremely unlikely (though, of course, not entirely out of the realm of possibility).
Nunes is retiring at her best, a rare feat in pro sports.
Chaos continues to surround Conor McGregor
McGregor made headlines this past weekend for a knockout punch. But this didn’t occur in the Octagon, instead taking place during an intermission in a basketball game.
The incident took place during Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Miami. A timeout in the third quarter led to a break in the action, and McGregor stepped on the court for a promotional skit that was intended to highlight a pain-relief spray, which he was supposed to spray onto Burnie, the Miami Heat mascot.
Chaos unfolded on the court. McGregor punched Burnie twice, legitimately injuring him. Burnie was in pain, and unfortunately no spray relief was going to help him.
Who approved this? How could McGregor think he should legitimately punch the mascot? It is a poor look for both McGregor and the sport, reflecting it in a second-rate light.
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
