Fan favorite Charles Oliveira is going to make his return to the octagon, following his loss against Islam Makhachev. ‘Do Bronx’ was unable to hold on to his lightweight title when he faced off against Makhachev, who dominated the fight. However, Oliveira’s loss has not dampened his popularity among fans, who mobbed him after his UFC 283 defeat. Now, the Brazilian fighter is preparing to make a comeback, with his next challenge coming in the form of Beneil Dariush.
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has announced his upcoming fight against Beneil Dariush at UFC 288 on May 6. Moreover, the matchup was in the works for weeks. However, it was only recently that they got the official announcement about the event and date. Moreover, Oliveira is no stranger to the spotlight, recently he clarified a viral video.
This is quite an exciting matchup as Oliveira, before he lost to Makhachev, was on a 11-fight win streak. Meanwhile, Dariush has been on a hot streak himself, having won his last eight fights. Fans are not able to hold their excitement in since the announcement of the fight.
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Fans react to the Charles Oliveira returning to the octagon
The MMA community loves and supports both fighters. Moreover, they are at their peak, thus it will be very exciting to see who wins. Moreover, the winner of this fight might get their title shot against Makhachev. Here’s what the fans had to say:
A fan said: “I like this fight, but I think Beneil deserves a title shot, and Charles a straight rematch for his entire win streak (before Islam).”
One shares his dilemma: “Man I really want to see Dariush get a title shot but I don’t want Charles to lose though”
Another fan demands a title shot for Dariush: “Everything but give this guy a shot at the title lol”
Meanwhile, one fan said: “Seems like match makers actually hearing what people want.”
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Whilst a fan predicts: “Ngl, Beneil takes this”
Some fan said: “Beneil will be champion”
A fan shares how the majority of fans feel: “But I don’t want anyone to lose”
One fan said: “Please end in a draw I don’t want either to lose”
Some fan is excited for the calendar year: “My God 2023 is stacked so far”
Despite the exciting matchup, Dariush is not happy fighting the #1 title contender Charles Oliveira.
Dariush aiming for a title shot despite Oliveira’s matchup
Dariush’s sentiments are shared by the entire UFC and MMA fan community. Although he respects what Oliveira has done in his career and the incredible fighter he is, it’s not the fight he wants. Dariush will turn 34 on the fight day against ‘Do Bronx’. Thus, he feels that if he doesn’t get a title opportunity right now when he is at the peak of his career, he might never get it.
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He said, “But as far as who deserves to fight for the title? No one is even close to what I’ve done so far. I was hoping to fight Charles, let’s say February-March, so right around this time, and then we could have done July against Makhachev. That was my ideal situation.”
Dariush’s complaint with Oliveira is that it would have been better for him if the fight was taking place earlier in Feb-March. However, according to Dariush, Oliveira kept on pushing the fight back from March to April and now May. He felt sour that Oliveira was trying to push the fight back. One thing he would change is that the fight took place sooner.
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