Update: It was reported on April 16th that Charles Oliveira vs Beneil Dariush has been rebooked for UFC 289.
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira suffered a minor injury that forced him out of UFC 288 next month. The bout is now reportedly being rescheduled for the following PPV event.
News of Oliveira’s withdrawal was first reported by ESPN Deportes.
Charles Oliveira was supposed to face Beneil Dariush in a pivotal lightweight co-main event. The winner could’ve gotten the next title shot against Islam Makhachev.
It was reported by the Schmo that this fight will now be taking place at UFC 289, just one pay-per-view event. Now Oliveira vs Dariush will go down in Canada on June 10th.
It’s a frustrating setback for Oliveira, who had seemed highly motivated for his clash with Beneil Dariush.
Charles Oliveira Reportedly Suffered Minor Injury Ahead Of UFC 288
Dariush, who has long called for a lightweight title shot, will likely stay intact with the Oliveira matchup. He has won eight straight fights, including most recently over Mateusz Gamrot last October.
Dariush has defeated the likes of Tony Ferguson, Drakkar Klose, and Drew Dober on his way into the lightweight title picture.
Charles Oliveira lost to Makhachev for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 280. He was stripped of the lightweight belt after a botched weight cut ahead of his UFC 274 fight against Justin Gaethje.
UFC 288 is now two fights thin after the featherweight matchup between Bryce Mitchell and Jonathan Pearce was canceled. However, the UFC is looking for a replacement to face Mitchell.