The odds for UFC 288’s co-main event favor Beneil Dariush over Charles Oliveira. This comes as a surprise to many fans and experts, as ‘Do Bronx’ was the top dog of the division before losing the title to Makhachev. On the other hand, Dariush has been on a winning streak. He has been defeating big names like Mateusz Gamrot and Tony Ferguson. Despite it being such a blockbuster matchup, this fight was not Dariush‘s preference, as he is looking for the title. However, a victory over Oliveira could lead him to a championship bout against the current lightweight champ.
Charles Oliveira has also proven to be a tough competitor. He has defeated top contenders such as Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Michael Chandler. Once more, the Brazilian will have to get in the trenches and pull out a master class to defeat the rising Dariush.
While the co-main event is sure to draw plenty of attention, UFC 288’s main event will feature Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo. Many fans and experts feel that a fight between Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira deserves a main event.
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Fans react to Beneil Dariush being favored over Charles Oliveira
The former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is a fan favorite. Thus fans are not happy that he is coming to the fight as an underdog being the previous champion. Here’s what the fans had to say:
Beneil Dariush opens up as a 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 against Charles Oliveira 👀
(odds via @betonline_ag) 😤 #UFC288 pic.twitter.com/ataQM3c18z
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) February 22, 2023
A fan thinks it was disrespectful:
Wow. Bit disrespectful ain’t it?
— JoseMaria® (@TheJoseMaria) February 22, 2023
One fan will bet it all on ‘Do Bronx’:
all of my money will be on charles.
— nez (@anesbossi) February 22, 2023
Another fan said:
This game and it’s short memory… when will it learn
— Bookers revenge season (@loyalsunsfan4L) February 22, 2023
Meanwhile, one fan notices how Oliveira is always the underdog in big fights and strives in those situations:
Charles is always the underdog, I think its good this way I get the feeling he strives this way better.
— Miggi (@jawbreakermma) February 22, 2023
Whilst a fan also shares the same emotions:
Bet the house on charles,also its very weird every time charles is the underdog,he always wins
— Nattsøkeren🇳🇴 (@Psychaitrist69) February 22, 2023
Some fan doesn’t agree with the odds:
I don’t see it. 10 units on Olives thx
— Chito Trevor Darts (@hotbabelover69) February 23, 2023
A fan is not happy:
They back to doubting this man?
— Saif Shekhani (@ShekhaniSaif) February 23, 2023
One fan is tired of people doubting ‘Do Bronx’:
The disrespect
— Dion Smith (@Dsmitty23) February 22, 2023
Dariush might have been happy with this fight some time ago. However, anything apart from a title fight won’t cut it anymore. Despite facing the #1 title contender and the former UFC lightweight champion, Dariush eyes for the title shot and solely the title shot.
Beneil Dariush vents out his frustration
Dariush in a past interview said that his focus isn’t matching with UFC and Dana White. He claims that White focuses solely on making profitable decisions that are better for the promotion and its growth. On the other hand, he claims that he has ‘god-given talent’ and he doesn’t want to waste it.
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He said, “I want to fight the best people in the world and I want to do it as often as I can. So if I can’t get the champion, I want another dog after this fight. I want to fight the best guys, and it’s that simple.”
He said that after Alexander Volkanovski got the title shot instead of him against Islam Makhachev. Moreover, before his fight against Gamrot, he was expecting a matchup against either Chandler or Poirier however, those matchups did not come to fruition.
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What do you think about the odds? Do you think Dariush will reign over the former middleweight champ? Let us know in the comments below.