It’s been a week and change since Beneil Dariush’s eight-fight win streak was soundly snapped inside a round by the returning Charles Oliveira, emphatically making his claim for another lightweight championship challenge at UFC 289. The perennial contender and a highly-regarded coach gave their views on what a rematch would look like, against reigning champion Islam Makhachev.
Dariush still sees too many holes in Oliveira’s wrestling game
- “When I grabbed him, in terms of wrestling, he tried something that I was like, ‘why would you do that?’ He tried so hard to lift and finish the takedown, put himself on his back and ended up like pulling guard. So, in terms of grappling and wrestling specifically, I still see too many holes in his game,” the 34-year-old told Submission Radio in an interview on Friday
- Islam Makhachev made his first title defence vs. featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in February, he’s mooted to return on the promotion’s Abu Dhabi card on October 21 – Oliveira most likely next
- “It wouldn’t work against Makhachev, he would put the pain on him and possibly even sub him. He should have been in there showing us he can beat Makhachev, he kind of looked like he’s doing the same formula,” Tristar Gym head coach Firas Zahabi unimpressed with Oliveira’s performance
In one of 2022’s most heavily-anticipated cards, now-former champion Charles Oliveira was swiftly made to look very ordinary by Islam Makhachev last October. Maybe it was an off-night, or the skill discrepancy was just too high.
One year on, they could be doing battle again in Abu Dhabi once more – a rematch for lightweight gold. Where are the other fresh matchups for Islam to chew on?
Perhaps you might think Oliveira needs more than one win to get back into title contention after the way he was handedly dismissed, but assess the division and it quickly becomes clear how much logjam there is among top contenders.
“He underperformed, he’s way better than that. I’m a big fan of Dariush, just feel something was off that night – I don’t know what, I didn’t talk to him. He could do so much better, especially when a guy pulls guard within the first few seconds… he had a golden opportunity, just couldn’t seize it.”
“I watched it back and just know that’s not the best version of me. For whatever reason that day I was not on, can’t explain it. Not gonna give too many excuses, don’t want to take [the victory] away from Charles.
I felt a little bit of his speed, timing. I agree with you guys: he does have a good amount of power, obviously I think he’s going to do much better than last time – still think it’s going to be a hard fight for him against Makhachev.”
- Dariush on Oliveira’s chances in a prospective Makhachev rematch
Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2 is scheduled to headline UFC 291 on July 29 in an exciting matchup, but he’s previously beaten both former interim champions.
Dariush sits at #4, Oliveira bested Michael Chandler (#5) for vacant gold two years ago, while Rafael Fiziev (#6) and Mateusz Gamrot (#7) are both undeniably talented but not exactly in a position to fight above their rankings right now.
Arman Tsarukyan (#8), Rafael dos Anjos (#9) and Jalin Turner (#10) round out the top-10 at 155lbs, the same can be said for all three. dos Anjos was slated to fight Makhachev multiple times, but has since moved up to welterweight.
Tsarukyan has some well-documented history with the champion dating back four years ago, but the 26-year-old Georgian is still three or four successful fights away from that after losing to Gamrot in a Fight of the Night contest last summer.
Will an Oliveira rematch be any different a second time around so soon after their first? We’ll have to wait and see given the Brazilian’s electrifying style, though the signs aren’t overwhelmingly positive that would look much different.
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes via mmajunkie
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