UFC 289: Charles Oliveira is confident about his victory over Beneil Dariush

• Sports

It is interesting how you can gain something and lose it within the blink of an eye, Charles Oliveira, the former UFC lightweight champion of the world, claimed the lightweight belt after winning against Michael Chandler, went forward and defended it against two terrific strikers: Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.

However, the match against Gaethje doesn’t exactly count as a title defense, as Oliveira’s belt was stripped away due to a controversial moment where he failed to make weight. He won the match Gaethje and had to fight for the vacant belt against Islam Makhachev, and to everyone’s surprise, Makhachev did what most top contenders failed to do.

A comeback is always greater than a setback; Oliveira is one victory away from getting a chance to reclaim his precious lightweight belt.

Charles Oliveira’s thoughts on the match ahead

In the recent media day, Charles Oliveira, the 1st ranked lightweight contender, reflects on his bitter loss against Islam Makhachev and declares that the world will see a different version of him this Saturday night.

He then confirms that the winner of the event will be fighting for the title against Islam Makhachev. “About that other fight, I didn’t watch it,” Oliveira said, as quoted by mmajunkie.usatoday.com. “It wasn’t me.

I wasn’t there. This is a different Charles. This is a Charles that’s thirsty. The Charles you’re going to see is the Charles that you know, that’s thirsty for victory, that’s hungry – someone who is back at it and a lion who is always hunting.

That’s the Charles that you’re going to see”. Oliveira further said: “Surely, whoever wins this fight this Saturday is going to go for the title. I’m next. I’m in line for it”. In less than 2 days, the world will know who the next title challenger is, a crucial match for both fighters as it’s going to play a pivotal role in their career. Can Beneil Dariush shock the world and splatter Oliveira’s dreams with a victory? We will soon find out.