‘An Intense Battle Ahead’: Brazilian Icons Analyze Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush at UFC 289
Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush are set to clash this Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 289 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The match has garnered attention as both fighters vie for a potential lightweight title shot. Brazilian MMA stars are predicting a challenging bout for “do Bronx,” despite their unanimous support for the former champion.
Oliveira returns to action after an eight-month hiatus following his loss to Islam Makhachev for the 155-pound belt, which ended his impressive 11-fight winning streak. Meanwhile, Dariush aims to seize his long-awaited opportunity for a title fight after securing victory in his last eight bouts.
Demian Maia, a two-time UFC title challenger who recently visited Oliveira’s training camp at Chute Boxe Diego Lima in May, shared his analysis of the upcoming matchup during a recent appearance on the Trocação Franca podcast by MMA Hook.
“Like Charles, Beneil is constantly taking on tough opponents and emerging victorious,” Maia explained. “Danilo [Marques], a friend of mine who resides in California and trains at Kings MMA, mentioned that [Dariush] possesses excellent jiu-jitsu skills and is also a fan of mine. Coming from a wrestling background, he excels in both aspects and is also comfortable striking.”
Maia believes that Dariush could reach an even higher level as a fighter if he can manage to control his emotions during fights.
“Sometimes it would benefit him to focus on taking his opponent down and controlling the fight, but he gets drawn into brawls because his opponents do the same,” Maia noted. “Charles has the advantage in jiu-jitsu, but Beneil is also dangerous. I think Beneil has the edge in wrestling, while Charles possesses superior technical skills, reach, and size. The outcome of this fight might be determined on the feet.”
Maia continued, “It’s an intriguing fight. Both fighters are exceptional, and I’m a big fan of both. I’m friends with Charles, and naturally, I’m rooting for him, but I hold great respect for both of them.”
Jose Aldo, the former UFC and WEC featherweight champion, also expressed his admiration for Dariush, who trains under the renowned Brazilian coach Rafael Cordeiro at Kings MMA.
“Charles’ jiu-jitsu is more refined, but Dariush is no slouch on the ground either,” Aldo shared on Trocação Franca. “I’ve been a fan of Dariush for a long time. I’ve told Rafael before that I think the guy who assists him, I see him in the corner during fights, and I believe he’s incredibly skilled. He deserves a title shot; he always delivers exceptional fights.”
Aldo added, “He’s facing Charles now, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for Charles to bounce back. I’m rooting for Charles; I have great affection for him and hope he can return to winning ways and capture the belt again. However, it’s going to be a very tough fight. Dariush isn’t afraid to engage on the ground or on the feet, but if I had to place a bet, it would be on Charles. May he emerge victorious in this fight.”
Alex Pereira, the former UFC middleweight champion who now embarks on a new journey in the light heavyweight division against former champion Jan Blachowicz, voiced his support for his fellow Brazilian on a recent episode of Trocação Franca.
“Charles is a true warrior. He has a remarkable story and has endured immense hardships,” Pereira expressed. “I believe this fight is the right move for him. He’s
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about UFC 289 Lightweight Battle
Q: When is the Oliveira vs. Dariush fight taking place?
A: The Oliveira vs. Dariush fight is scheduled to take place this Saturday at UFC 289.
Q: What is at stake in this fight?
A: Both Oliveira and Dariush have their sights set on a potential lightweight title shot. The winner of this fight could move closer to securing that opportunity.
Q: How has Oliveira been performing leading up to this fight?
A: Oliveira is coming off a loss to Islam Makhachev, which ended his impressive 11-fight winning streak. He will be looking to bounce back and regain momentum in this fight.
Q: What are some factors that could impact the outcome of the fight?
A: Both fighters possess strong skills in different areas. Oliveira has an advantage in jiu-jitsu, while Dariush is known for his wrestling background. The fight could also be decided on the feet, where Oliveira’s technicality and size may come into play.
Q: Who are some notable figures in the MMA community rooting for?
A: MMA stars such as Demian Maia, Jose Aldo, and Alex Pereira have expressed their support for Charles Oliveira. However, they also acknowledge the skills and abilities of Beneil Dariush, making it a tough fight to predict.
Q: Where can I watch the Oliveira vs. Dariush fight?
A: The fight will be available for viewing on the UFC 289 event, which can be accessed through pay-per-view or the official UFC streaming platforms.
More about UFC 289 Lightweight Battle
- UFC 289 Official Website
- Charles Oliveira’s UFC Profile
- Beneil Dariush’s UFC Profile
- [Demian Maia on Trocação Franca Podcast](insert link if available)
- [Jose Aldo on Trocação Franca Podcast](insert link if available)
- [Alex Pereira on Trocação Franca Podcast](insert link if available)