UFC 289 event was co-headlined by a key lightweight bout featuring Charles Oliveira taking on Beneil Dariush.
Charles Oliveira (34-9 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since suffering a submission loss to Islam Makhachev last October at UFC 280 in a fight for the undisputed lightweight world title. Prior to that setback, ‘Do Bronx’ had put together a sensational eleven-fight win streak which included victories over Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.
Meanwhile, Beneiel Dariush (22-5-1 MMA) entered UFC 289 sporting an eight-fight win streak, his most recent being a unanimous decision victory over Mateusz Gamrot in October of last year. The 34-year-old had not tasted defeat since March of 2018 when he was knocked out by Alexander Hernandez.
Tonight’s UFC 289 co-main event resulted in another first-round finish for Charles Oliveira. After being taken down early in the fight, the former lightweight champion was able to scramble back to his feet and lands a thunderous head kick. Beneil Dariush was clearly rocked from the strike and dove for a takedown. Oliveira was able to take top position and once he did it was nothing but hammers to score the victory.
Official UFC 289 Results: Charles Oliviera def. Beneil Dariush via TKO at 4:10 of Round 1
Daniel Cormier reacted to Charles Oliveira’s win over Beneil Dariush at UFC 289
Former UFC champion in two divisions Daniel Cormier commented on the victory of former lightweight title holder Charles Oliveira over Beneil Dariush.
“This is crazy. Charles Oliveira stopped 20 fighters. And you know what else is crazy? At the end of the battle, you wonder: How was Beneel even a favorite? Because when they were there, there was no hint that he could do anything with Oliveira to win this fight.
In the strike, Oliveira showed superiority and clarity, which always allowed him to finish fights in this way. He shook Beneel with the cruelest combination: right hand and right high kick together. It was the end for Beneel Dariusz,” Daniel Cormier said.
Former lightweight world champion Charles Oliveira bounced back in a big way in the co-main event, earning a first-round TKO against streaking 155-pounder Beneil Dariush. The win will likely put ‘Do Bronx’ on course for a rematch with reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev later this year.
Elsewhere, two-division UFC champion Amanda Nunes dominated Irene Aldana in the evening’s main event. After securing the unanimous decision, ‘The Lioness’ announced that she is officially retiring from mixed martial arts, vacating both her bantamweight and featherweight titles in the process.