Analyzing what Charles Oliveira’s victory means for the UFC lightweight division

The world of mixed martial arts witnessed an exciting and thrilling bout as Charles Oliveira scored a stunning victory over Beneil Dariush at UFC 289. With his first-round TKO win, Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) secured a noteworthy spot in the lightweight championship, marking his 20th UFC win by finish, a feat unsurpassed by any other UFC fighter. The social media sphere exploded with varied reactions and calls for a title rematch.

Guarded Opinions from Experts and Fighters

The bout was closely watched by MMA enthusiasts all around the world, including seasoned fighters who watched the fight, among them Marlon Vera, Aljamain Sterling, Sean O’Malley, Michael Chiesa, and Henry Cejudo. Most of them congratulated Oliveira on his remarkable victory and expressed their awe at his formidable performance.

Algmain Sterling, who has fought both Oliveira and Dariush, said that he related to both men and couldn’t pick a winner. However, he hoped for violence. Anthony Smith hailed Oliveira’s inspiring comeback following his previous loss. Michael Chiesa dubbed Oliveira as one of the greatest lightweights of all time.

Despite his respect and admiration, Henry Cejudo admitted that Oliveira needs to improve on getting up sooner, noting the advantage of fighter’s like Islam Makhachev who doesn’t play the jits game and is active on top.

Potential Title Rematch

The fight was a potential title eliminator for a shot at the lightweight championship, and given Oliveira’s impressive track record, fans and experts alike are already calling for a title rematch. Damon Martin stated that a rematch with Islam Makhachev isn’t likely to happen soon. Chael Sonnen talked about the importance of interviews leading up to a title shot, stating his belief that poor interviews could blow a fighter’s chance of earning a title fight.

Final Thoughts: A Case for Beneil Dariush

While fans and enthusiasts are already calling for championship fights, it’s worth noting Beneil Dariush’s impressive record, having won his previous eight fights before his fight with Oliveira. This defeat is just a minor setback for the fighter. Dariush is a strong contender who will undoubtedly make a comeback in the future.

Conclusion

The fight was a thrilling event that will undoubtedly go down as one of the best lightweight bouts in UFC history. With Charles Oliveira’s impressive record and thrilling prowess, it is no wonder people are already debating his potential as a UFC lightweight champion. Regardless of the future title match, Oliveira and Dariush showcased the best of what mixed martial arts is all about – battling it out with grit, heart, and skill.