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Charles Oliveira touted to retire from MMA with UFC 288 loss: ‘It could be a curtain call’

Charles Oliveira touted to retire UFC 288 loss It could be a curtain call Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has been touted to potentially retire from mixed martial arts competition, according to former light heavyweight and middleweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen. Oliveira, the current #1 ranked lightweight contender, is set to make his Octagon return next month in the co-main event of UFC 287, taking on the […]

Oliveira, the current #1 ranked lightweight contender, is set to make his Octagon return next month in the co-main event of UFC 287, taking on the streaking Beneil Dariush, who has scored victories in his last eight consecutive Octagon appearances.

Sidelined since October of last year, Charles Oliveira suffered a one-sided second round arm-triangle submission loss to undisputed champion, Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi, UAE – in the pair’s vacant championship offing.

Charles Oliveira saw his 12-fight winning run snapped against Islam Makhachev

Vying for a potential title shot against Dariush in the pair’s expected championship-eliminator, Oliveira, has been touted to likely weigh up and consider his future in the sport should he drop a loss to Kings MMA staple, Dariush at UFC 287 in Newark, New Jersey.

“One fight that I’ve got circled on my calendar – I cannot wait for this fight – is Charles Oliveira versus Benny Dariush,” Chael Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “I like both of those guys and I acknowledge the skill of both of those guys. [But] I have never marked on my calendar and counted down the days for a Benny fight or a Charles fight. You put them together and it can’t get here quick enough. Why do I like this fight? Is it Jiu-Jitsu? Is it standup? Is it [that’s it’s] a number one contender’s fight? Or is it something more evil?”

“Is it, the former champion who was said to be biggest pay-per-view draw of last year, who was on top of the world, who some were arguing could surpass Khabib (Nurmagomedov)… could be done? He could be gone,” Chanel Sonnen explained. “There is no fight that’s a bigger fight than the fight you have after a title fight that didn’t go your way… it could be a curtain call… I’m noticing the magnitude of what’s on this match. It’s a number one contender’s [fight], and it’s possibly a career.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

In his most recent victory, Sao Paulo native, Oliveira defeated former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje with a one-sided first round rear-naked choke submission win back in May of last year after he was stripped of his undisputed crown.

Charles Oliveira touted to retire from MMA with UFC 288 loss: ‘It could be a curtain call’

Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has been touted to potentially retire from mixed martial arts competition, according to former light heavyweight and middleweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen. Oliveira, the current #1 ranked lightweight contender, is set to make his Octagon return next month in the co-main event of UFC 287, taking on the […]

Charles Oliveira saw his 12-fight winning run snapped against Islam Makhachev

Sean O’Malley confirms he will fight Aljamain Sterling or Henry Cejudo for UFC title in return: ‘It’s official’

Number two ranked UFC bantamweight contender, Sean O’Malley has claimed he has been given reassurances from the promotion that he will be fighting for division gold next in his Octagon return – facing the victor of the upcoming May title fight between champion, Henry Cejudo, and the returning, Henry Cejudo. O’Malley, the current #2 ranked […]

O’Malley, the current #2 ranked bantamweight contender, most recently featured at UFC 280 back in October of last year in Abu Dhabi, UAE on ‘Fight Island’ – defeating former undisputed bantamweight contender, Petr Yan in a close, debated split decision win.

Knocked from his number one perch at bantamweight last month, Montana native, Sean O’Malley was replaced at the top of the pile by the surging, Merab Dvalishvili, who himself took out common-foe, Dudinka native, Yan in a clear-cut unanimous decision win in the main event of UFC Fight Night Las Vegas.

Claiming in the immediate aftermath of his win over the Russian late last year how he would be fighting for Octagon gold next.

In May, headlining UFC 288 in Newark, New Jersey – undisputed bantamweight kingpin, the above-mentioned, Sterling searches for his third defense of his throne, taking on the returning, former two-weight champion, Cejudo.

Sean O’Malley claims he will fight for bantamweight gold next

And according to Dana White’s Contender Series alum, O’Malley, UFC officials have confirmed to him that he will be fighting the winner of that title bout for championship gold next.

“My next fight will be f*cking huge,” Sean O’Malley said on his podcast. “Winner of Henry (Cejudo) vs. Aljo (Aljamain Sterling). I talked with the UFC and that’s happening. It’s official. Winner of that fight, I’ll fight.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

In the midst of a five-fight undefeated run, prior to his decision win over Yan, O’Malley had fought to an official ‘No Contest’ against Pedro Munhoz, before chalking up wins over the trio of promotional veterans, Raulian Paiva, Kris Moutinho, and Thomas Almeida.

Beneil Dariush angered by Charles Oliveira, predicts finish at UFC 288: ‘I’m pretty p*ssed at him’

UFC lightweight contender, Beneil Dariush has revealed his anger toward former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira ahead of their potential title-eliminator at UFC 288 in May – claiming the Brazilian should have accepted a fight against him last month, rather than forcing their May matchup. Dariush, in the midst of an impressive eight-fight winning streak, […]

Dariush, in the midst of an impressive eight-fight winning streak, most recently featured at UFC 280 akin to Oliveira, stopping the surge of former two-weight KSW titleholder, Mateusz Gamrot in a one-sided unanimous decision victory.

As for Oliveira, the Sao Paulo submission ace has been sidelined since that October pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi, UAE – dropping a vacant lightweight title fight and his 12-fight winning run in a submission loss to current undisputed titleholder, Islam Makhachev.

Beneil Dariush expresses his anger toward UFC 288 opponent, Charles Oliveira

Drawing Oliveira – the promotion’s most prolific submission artist and finisher, Kings MMA staple, Dariush claimed he was “p*ssed” at the former ahead of their Newark, New Jersey co-headliner next month, questioning why he didn’t accept a fight earlier.

“Man, I’m not gonna lie, [I’m a] little p*ssed at Charles (Oliveira),” Beneil Dariush told The Schmo. “We should have done this fight in early March. I should be chilling right now, spending time with my baby. But, I have to do practice, I have to do my recovery stuff. I have to eat right, lose weight, and still spend time with my baby. Not gonna lie, pretty p*ssed. I’m going to make sure, I’m going to be as ready as possible, is the way I’m going to put it.”

“The game plan is to be perfect,” Beneil Dariush explained. “If we fight three rounds, he (Charles Oliveira) doesn’t get anything from me. I win every second, I win every position and I dominate the fight. That’s the game plan. I believe I will finish him before then, but my focus is three rounds.” (Transcribed by BJPENN.com)

Predicting his own win over Dariush, Chute Boxe staple, Oliveira claimed he would be entering his UFC 288 fight with the Iranian-born contender with the mindset of a “lion”.

Charles Oliveira plans to ‘Hunt’ Beneil Dariush at UFC 288: ‘I’m like a lion’

Charles Oliveira is fighting in his first non-title bout since 2020, and he has never been hungrier for a win. At UFC 288 in Newark, New Jersey, Oliveira will look to regain momentum as he faces the red-hot Beneil Dariush who is riding an eight-fight-win-streak. During Oliveira’s previous title fights, it seemed as though no […]

Charles Oliveira is fighting in his first non-title bout since 2020, and he has never been hungrier for a win.

At UFC 288 in Newark, New Jersey, Oliveira will look to regain momentum as he faces the red-hot Beneil Dariush who is riding an eight-fight-win-streak.

During Oliveira’s previous title fights, it seemed as though no matter how badly he was hurt, he always found a way to win.

But at UFC 280, Charles Oliveira finally met his match and suffered a rare submission loss to current champion Islam Makhachev.

Dariush and Oliveira have been rumoured to fight in recent times, as Dariush did not slow down on his constant push for title contention.

Now that the two 33-year-olds are set to face off, Oliveira vows to pressure Dariush and win by any means necessary.

Charles Oliveira ready to “hunt” Beneil Dariush at UFC 288 in May

Speaking with MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca, ‘Do Bronx’ said that in his short time without the title, he has been eagerly awaiting for it to be wrapped around his waist once again.

“I want it so bad. I want to become champion again, I want to win, I want to make history. I’m hungry to win. I’m like a lion hunting.”

With a crucial victory which may catapult him back into title contention, Charles Oliveira has doubled down on the idea that it won’t be a strategic fight, and his only aim is to come out with his arm raised.

“I can’t say I’ll do a strategic fight, that I’ll be waiting. No, that’s not Charles fighting. Charles walks forward, he hunts the entire time. So if you want to watch a boring fight, don’t come watch my fight. You’ll see me get knocked down, dropped, and get back up. Like you said, [Dariush] has been knocked out before, he’s been submitted. He has holes, just like I do. That’s what matters the most, wanting to win no matter what.”

Regardless of what Charles Oliveira may say, Dariush may very well present a challenge which could result in a very close fight.

The two lightweights, both 5 ’10 with a strong grappling game, are veterans of the UFC with similar styles in the octagon.

The southpaw Dariush has shown in recent fights, such as his spectacular turn around against Drakkar Klose, that he has what it takes to face adversity in a fight as well.

Although Charles Oliveira is confident in winning, he recognizes the threat that Dariush poses.

“‘Benny’ is a complete fighter, a real MMA fighter. He has great wrestling, great jiu-jitsu, and great striking. He fights well in his strategy and has a coach that deserves all the respect in the world, Rafael Cordeiro, so we have to be alert in every sense. I have to be myself, Charles walking forward, Charles going for the fight, Charles hunting the entire time.”

If one thing is for certain, it’s that Alex Volkanovski proved that Makhachev can be beaten, and both these lightweights will be eager to challenge him for his title.

Dariush is not one to be vocal about his recent dominance, and he has quietly earned himself a high ranking at 155.

The Kings MMA fighter has not suffered defeat in over five years, and while no one has been able to solve his puzzle, Charles Oliveira remains persistent in his title chase.

“I’ve said [how I’ll win] it before, I’ve been wrong before — and I won’t be wrong again. I’ll tell you the truth, being real here, I’ll hunt in this fight. I’ll walk forward the entire time. I don’t care if it’s a knockout, a submission, or a decision, I’ll hunt in this fight.

Merab Dvalishvili turns down May 13. headliner against Umar Nurmagomedov, awaiting result of UFC 288 title fight

Fresh off his win over Petr Yan earlier this month, Merab Dvalishvili was reportedly offered a May 13 main event slot against undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov. Per a report from Aaron Bronsteter, a representative with Dominance MMA confirmed that Dvalishvili would not accept the offer, citing an injury. Merab Dvalishvili’s manager Oren Hodak confirmed with Bronsteter […]

Fresh off his win over Petr Yan earlier this month, Merab Dvalishvili was reportedly offered a May 13 main event slot against undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov.

Per a report from Aaron Bronsteter, a representative with Dominance MMA confirmed that Dvalishvili would not accept the offer, citing an injury. Merab Dvalishvili’s manager Oren Hodak confirmed with Bronsteter that ‘The Machine’ is currently dealing with an injury, but also revealed that his fighter has no interest in committing to anything until May’s bantamweight title fight between reigning champion Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo is in the books.

“Merab just fought and he fought injured. Nothing to talk about until the May 6 (bantamweight) title fight happens anyhow,” Hodak said according to a Tweet from Bronsteter.

‘The Machine’ climbed to the No. 1 spot in the UFC’s bantamweight rankings following his 25-minute destruction of former 135-pound champion Petr Yan. Apparently, the promotion felt that an adequate reward for his performance against the former titleholder was a main event slot against a fighter still sitting outside of the top ten. Instead, Dvalishvili has his sights set on a bantamweight clash with top contender Cory Sandhagen.

“Merab is interested in tasting that Sandhagen sandwich that was on the menu and comes at a much more high profile extra value meal compared to a guy not even in the top 10,” Hodak reportedly added.

Cory Sandhagen is fresh off a split decision victory over Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera at UFC San Antonio on Saturday night.

Hodak added: "Merab is interested in tasting that Sandhagen sandwich that was on the menu and comes at a much more high profile extra value meal compared to a guy not even in the top 10"

(He asked me to quote him on that)

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) March 27, 2023

Merab Dvalishvili’s Reluctance to Fight Aljamain Sterling Will Make Him Nothing More Than a Stepping Stone For Other Fighters

With an undefeated record of 16-0, Umar Nurmagomedov is considered by many to be the future of the UFC’s bantamweight division. It appears as though the promotion was attempting to fast-track his status as a title contender at the expense of Merab Dvalishvili by offering ‘The Machine’ a May matchup with the Dagestani standout. That decision was likely influenced by the fact that Dvalishvili has said on more than one occasion that he will never fight his best friend and teammate Aljamain Sterling, the reigning UFC bantamweight champion.

It now appears that Merab Dvalishvili will instead sit back and wait to see what happens at UFC 288 when Sterling puts his title on the line against Henry Cejudo. If ‘Funk Master’ manages to escape the Prudential Center with his title intact, Dvalishvili will be left in limbo and likely used as nothing more than a stepping stone for other fighters given his reluctance to fight the champ.

The best-case scenario for ‘The Machine’ is to see Henry Cejudo reclaim the bantamweight title on May 6. Even then, he could be potentially passed up for a title opportunity in favor of the more marketable Sean O’Malley.