SI’s MMA Notes, Quotes, and Anecdotes runs every week.
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.