In a spectacular display of skill and determination, Charles Oliveira made a triumphant return to the octagon at UFC 289, securing a first-round knockout victory over Beneil Dariush. The co-main event held high stakes, with a potential lightweight title shot hanging in the balance.
Both Oliveira and Dariush entered the bout with aspirations of reaching the pinnacle of their division. Oliveira aimed to rebound from the loss of his belt to Islam Makhachev, while Dariush sought to continue his impressive winning streak of eight consecutive bouts.
From the opening bell, Dariush showcased his leg kicks, attempting to set up his own high kick. However, Oliveira quickly countered with his own high kicks, landing one that electrified the crowd. The action transitioned to the ground, with Dariush ending up on top but unable to inflict significant damage.
So happy for him pic.twitter.com/bK3qL4ww5V
— calfkicker (@calfkickercom) June 11, 2023
Oliveira swiftly regained his guard, frustrating Dariush’s attempts to gain a dominant position. The former lightweight champion expertly navigated the ground game, displaying comfort from his back. However, a pivotal moment arrived when Oliveira decided to return to his feet and engage in a striking battle with Dariush.
It was in this moment that the bout took a dramatic turn. Oliveira unleashed another head kick that sent Dariush staggering, and he capitalized on the opportunity by launching a relentless assault. The referee stepped in, calling a stop to the action, and Oliveira emerged victorious via TKO, making a compelling case for a rematch with champion Islam Makhachev.
In another significant development, following her dominant performance against Irene Aldana at UFC 289, dual champion Amanda Nunes made the surprising decision to retire from professional MMA. Nunes, who held both the bantamweight and featherweight titles, leaves behind a remarkable legacy.
Regarded as one of the greatest female mixed martial artists of all time, Nunes achieved unparalleled success in her career. She defeated notable opponents such as Sarah McMann, Valentina Shevchenko (twice), Miesha Tate, Raquel Pennington, and Holly Holm. Furthermore, Nunes achieved emphatic victories over Ronda Rousey and Cris Cyborg, solidifying her status as a true legend of the sport.
Nunes’s retirement creates a void in both the promotion and the women’s divisions. The vacant bantamweight title raises questions about who will step up to compete for the championship.
As for the women’s featherweight division, Nunes’s departure raises uncertainty about its future, given the limited roster of athletes in the weight class.
Amanda Nunes’s legacy will be etched in the annals of MMA history, and her induction into the UFC Hall of Fame is all but inevitable. Her dominance and achievements mark her as one of the most formidable and influential female champions in the sport’s history. The void left by her absence will be felt for a long time to come, as the world of MMA eagerly anticipates the rise of a new force to rival the legend that is Amanda Nunes.