Justin Gaethje, Beneil Dariush makeshift fight suggested for UFC 288: ‘The winner gets a title shot’

Justin Gaethje vs Beneil Dariush suggested for UFC 288 the winner get a title shotFormer two-weight UFC champion, Henry Cejudo has suggested a potential lightweight title-eliminator between former interim division champion, Justin Gaethje and Beneil Dariush for UFC 288 in two weeks’ time, as the latte now finds hismelf qithout an opponent for the Newark, New Jersey card.  Cejudo, a former undisputed flyweight and bantamweight champion, returns to the […]

Justin Gaethje vs Beneil Dariush suggested for UFC 288 the winner get a title shot

Former two-weight UFC champion, Henry Cejudo has suggested a potential lightweight title-eliminator between former interim division champion, Justin Gaethje and Beneil Dariush for UFC 288 in two weeks’ time, as the latte now finds hismelf qithout an opponent for the Newark, New Jersey card. 

Cejudo, a former undisputed flyweight and bantamweight champion, returns to the Octagon for the first time following his 2020 retirement from active competition atop the pay-per-view event in the opening week of May – taking on undisputed bantamweight titleholder, Aljamain Sterling.

Initially, the flagship event in ‘The Garden State’ was slated to featured a high-stakes, title-eliminator between former champion, Charles Oliveira, and the above-mentioned surging contender, Dariush, however, a minor injury forced the former from proceedings.

The Sao Paulo native confirmed his intentions to potentially return to the Octagon the following month at UFC 289 in British Columbia, Canada, with Dariush receptive to the rebooking. However, as far as Cejudo is concerned, the Iranian should be matched up with former training partner, Justin Gaethje on short notice rather than remain sidelined.

“You guys want to have a great co-main event on a great card – why not Justin Gaethje?” Henry Cejudo said on his YouTube channel. “I guarantee you Justin Gaethje will step in. Do him vs. (Beneil) Dariush, [the] winner gets a title shot. There’s something that needs to be done and I do believe people need to do something to really step up if they really want to be that next person because if not, a whole damn year goes by and then you’re talking about who they’re gonna fight next.”

“As a competitor, if I was in that position I’d be the first person to raise my hand,” Cejudo continued. “‘Hey, I’m here to step up.’”

Justin Gaethje most recently featured just last month at UFC 286

Recently featuring in the co-main event of UFC 286 just last month in London, Arizona contender, Gaethje managed to halt the run of Rafael Fiziev with a back-and-forth majority decision victory. 

As for Dariush, the Kings MMA staple has been sidelined since he landed another impressive victory at UFC 280 last October, defeating Polish contender, Mateusz Gamrot in a unanimous decision over the course of three rounds. 

Following the cancellation of the UFC 288 co-headliner, the likes of Gilbert Burns has offered to fight former interim champion, Dustin Poirer in a welterweight affair on short-notice.

And one-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa has offered to return to the light heavyweight limit for a brief excursion against former undisputed champion, Jan Blachowicz at the Prudential Center event. 

Charles Oliveira explains withdrawal from UFC 288 return, targets June comeback against Beneil Dariush

Charles Oliveira explains withdrawal from UFC 288 targets June fight Beneil DariushCharles Oliveira says he pulled out of his upcoming fight with Beneil Dariush at UFC 288 due to an incident in training. The now injured Oliveira was seeking redemption following a disappointing display at UFC 280 which ended up with the belt in the hand of Islam Makhachev. A matchup between Charles Oliveira and Beneil […]

Charles Oliveira explains withdrawal from UFC 288 targets June fight Beneil Dariush

Charles Oliveira says he pulled out of his upcoming fight with Beneil Dariush at UFC 288 due to an incident in training.

The now injured Oliveira was seeking redemption following a disappointing display at UFC 280 which ended up with the belt in the hand of Islam Makhachev.

A matchup between Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush was very likely a deciding factor in who may be the next challenger for lightweight gold.

With a win over Oliveira, there would be no doubts remaining for Dariush as he would have extended his win streak to nine in a row.

Charles Oliveira targets June return from a minor injury

Dariush frustratingly spoke out on social media over his disappointment, and Charles Oliveira released statements of his own today in response to the situation.

“I wasn’t able to train, I got injured during wrestling practice,” Charles Oliveira said. “I tried to train, I tried to do everything I could but we couldn’t, so we pulled out of the fight. [Fighting at UFC 288] would be great because I would be fighting on the same night of two teammates.”

Dariush is eager to welcome Oliveira back on his feet and is willing to push the fight to UFC 289 in Vancouver, but it seems as though Oliveira is not prepared to give a final answer just yet.

“I have to stay [away from training] for a few days so I can go back to training soon, and then we’ll reschedule the fight,” Oliveira said. “I’ll be back to training pretty soon. That’s it, I had a small injury and decided to pull out so I wouldn’t fight injured. We’ve made that mistake once and I didn’t want to do it again. We’re taking one step back so we can take one, two, three steps forward soon.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

With victories over multiple contenders at 155, Oliveira can be confident that if he was to step up and overcome Dariush, Makhachev will be awaiting the Brazilian for a second dance.

Previous to their bout in Abu Dhabi, Oliveira was riding a comfortable 11-fight win streak with an incredible 10 finishes and just one decision since 2014.

Report – Charles Oliveira out of UFC 288 co-Headliner with Beneil Dariush in May due to injury

Charles Oliveira out of UFC 288 fight with Beneil Dariush due to injuryAccording to reports tonight, former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has been forced from his scheduled UFC 288 co-main event fight against the surging, Beneil Dariush on May 8. at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. As per an initial report from ESPN reporter, Carlos Contreras Legaspi, Brazilian contender, Charles Oliveira has been […]

Charles Oliveira out of UFC 288 fight with Beneil Dariush due to injury

According to reports tonight, former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has been forced from his scheduled UFC 288 co-main event fight against the surging, Beneil Dariush on May 8. at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

As per an initial report from ESPN reporter, Carlos Contreras Legaspi, Brazilian contender, Charles Oliveira has been forced to withdraw from the potential lightweight title-eliminator against Iranian-born challenger, Dariush next month, due to an undisclosed injury. At the time of publication, the organization are planning on postponing the matchup between Oliveira, and Dariush. 

Charles Oliveira forced from UFC 288 return

“Per sources, the scheduled lightweight fight between Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush for #UFC288 it’s (sic) being pushed due to an undisclosed injury on Oliveira’s side. The promotion is now working on a new date.” 

Sidelined since October of last year, Oliveira, 33, most recently headlined UFC 288 against Islam Makhachev in a vacant title fight – dropping a second round arm-triangle submission loss to the current division champion.

The defeat snapped Sao Paulo grappler, Oliveira’s division-best 12-fight winning run, which included a vacant title victory against Michael Chandler in 2021.

In December of that year, Oliveira managed to successfully defend his undisputed lightweight title for the first and only time, defeating former interim champion, Dustin Poirier with a third round standing rear-naked choke submission win.

The most prolific finisher and submission artist in Octagon antiquity, Oliveira had landed a first round rear-naked choke over another former interim champion, Justin Gaethje back in May of last year, after he dropped the title to the scales during fight week. 

UFC 288 takes place on May 8. from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey – with an undisputed bantamweight title fight between current champion, Aljamain Sterling, and the returning former two-weight champion, Henry Cejudo set to headline the pay-per-view card

Charles Oliveira touted to retire from MMA with UFC 288 loss: ‘It could be a curtain call’

Charles Oliveira touted to retire UFC 288 loss It could be a curtain callFormer undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has been touted to potentially retire from mixed martial arts competition, according to former light heavyweight and middleweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen. Oliveira, the current #1 ranked lightweight contender, is set to make his Octagon return next month in the co-main event of UFC 287, taking on the […]

Charles Oliveira touted to retire UFC 288 loss It could be a curtain call

Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has been touted to potentially retire from mixed martial arts competition, according to former light heavyweight and middleweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen.

Oliveira, the current #1 ranked lightweight contender, is set to make his Octagon return next month in the co-main event of UFC 287, taking on the streaking Beneil Dariush, who has scored victories in his last eight consecutive Octagon appearances.

Sidelined since October of last year, Charles Oliveira suffered a one-sided second round arm-triangle submission loss to undisputed champion, Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi, UAE – in the pair’s vacant championship offing.

Charles Oliveira saw his 12-fight winning run snapped against Islam Makhachev

Vying for a potential title shot against Dariush in the pair’s expected championship-eliminator, Oliveira, has been touted to likely weigh up and consider his future in the sport should he drop a loss to Kings MMA staple, Dariush at UFC 287 in Newark, New Jersey.

“One fight that I’ve got circled on my calendar – I cannot wait for this fight – is Charles Oliveira versus Benny Dariush,” Chael Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “I like both of those guys and I acknowledge the skill of both of those guys. [But] I have never marked on my calendar and counted down the days for a Benny fight or a Charles fight. You put them together and it can’t get here quick enough. Why do I like this fight? Is it Jiu-Jitsu? Is it standup? Is it [that’s it’s] a number one contender’s fight? Or is it something more evil?”

“Is it, the former champion who was said to be biggest pay-per-view draw of last year, who was on top of the world, who some were arguing could surpass Khabib (Nurmagomedov)… could be done? He could be gone,” Chanel Sonnen explained. “There is no fight that’s a bigger fight than the fight you have after a title fight that didn’t go your way… it could be a curtain call… I’m noticing the magnitude of what’s on this match. It’s a number one contender’s [fight], and it’s possibly a career.” (Transcribed by MMA News

In his most recent victory, Sao Paulo native, Oliveira defeated former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje with a one-sided first round rear-naked choke submission win back in May of last year after he was stripped of his undisputed crown. 

Charles Oliveira touted to retire from MMA with UFC 288 loss: ‘It could be a curtain call’

Charles Oliveira touted to retire UFC 288 loss It could be a curtain callFormer undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has been touted to potentially retire from mixed martial arts competition, according to former light heavyweight and middleweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen. Oliveira, the current #1 ranked lightweight contender, is set to make his Octagon return next month in the co-main event of UFC 287, taking on the […]

Charles Oliveira touted to retire UFC 288 loss It could be a curtain call

Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has been touted to potentially retire from mixed martial arts competition, according to former light heavyweight and middleweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen.

Oliveira, the current #1 ranked lightweight contender, is set to make his Octagon return next month in the co-main event of UFC 287, taking on the streaking Beneil Dariush, who has scored victories in his last eight consecutive Octagon appearances.

Sidelined since October of last year, Charles Oliveira suffered a one-sided second round arm-triangle submission loss to undisputed champion, Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi, UAE – in the pair’s vacant championship offing.

Charles Oliveira saw his 12-fight winning run snapped against Islam Makhachev

Vying for a potential title shot against Dariush in the pair’s expected championship-eliminator, Oliveira, has been touted to likely weigh up and consider his future in the sport should he drop a loss to Kings MMA staple, Dariush at UFC 287 in Newark, New Jersey.

“One fight that I’ve got circled on my calendar – I cannot wait for this fight – is Charles Oliveira versus Benny Dariush,” Chael Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “I like both of those guys and I acknowledge the skill of both of those guys. [But] I have never marked on my calendar and counted down the days for a Benny fight or a Charles fight. You put them together and it can’t get here quick enough. Why do I like this fight? Is it Jiu-Jitsu? Is it standup? Is it [that’s it’s] a number one contender’s fight? Or is it something more evil?”

“Is it, the former champion who was said to be biggest pay-per-view draw of last year, who was on top of the world, who some were arguing could surpass Khabib (Nurmagomedov)… could be done? He could be gone,” Chanel Sonnen explained. “There is no fight that’s a bigger fight than the fight you have after a title fight that didn’t go your way… it could be a curtain call… I’m noticing the magnitude of what’s on this match. It’s a number one contender’s [fight], and it’s possibly a career.” (Transcribed by MMA News

In his most recent victory, Sao Paulo native, Oliveira defeated former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje with a one-sided first round rear-naked choke submission win back in May of last year after he was stripped of his undisputed crown. 

Beneil Dariush angered by Charles Oliveira, predicts finish at UFC 288: ‘I’m pretty p*ssed at him’

Beneil Dariush pissed at Charles Oliveira UFC 288 predicts finishUFC lightweight contender, Beneil Dariush has revealed his anger toward former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira ahead of their potential title-eliminator at UFC 288 in May – claiming the Brazilian should have accepted a fight against him last month, rather than forcing their May matchup. Dariush, in the midst of an impressive eight-fight winning streak, […]

Beneil Dariush pissed at Charles Oliveira UFC 288 predicts finish

UFC lightweight contender, Beneil Dariush has revealed his anger toward former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira ahead of their potential title-eliminator at UFC 288 in May – claiming the Brazilian should have accepted a fight against him last month, rather than forcing their May matchup.

Dariush, in the midst of an impressive eight-fight winning streak, most recently featured at UFC 280 akin to Oliveira, stopping the surge of former two-weight KSW titleholder, Mateusz Gamrot in a one-sided unanimous decision victory. 

As for Oliveira, the Sao Paulo submission ace has been sidelined since that October pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi, UAE – dropping a vacant lightweight title fight and his 12-fight winning run in a submission loss to current undisputed titleholder, Islam Makhachev.

Beneil Dariush expresses his anger toward UFC 288 opponent, Charles Oliveira

Drawing Oliveira – the promotion’s most prolific submission artist and finisher, Kings MMA staple, Dariush claimed he was “p*ssed” at the former ahead of their Newark, New Jersey co-headliner next month, questioning why he didn’t accept a fight earlier.

“Man, I’m not gonna lie, [I’m a] little p*ssed at Charles (Oliveira),” Beneil Dariush told The Schmo. “We should have done this fight in early March. I should be chilling right now, spending time with my baby. But, I have to do practice, I have to do my recovery stuff. I have to eat right, lose weight, and still spend time with my baby. Not gonna lie, pretty p*ssed. I’m going to make sure, I’m going to be as ready as possible, is the way I’m going to put it.”

“The game plan is to be perfect,” Beneil Dariush explained. “If we fight three rounds, he (Charles Oliveira) doesn’t get anything from me. I win every second, I win every position and I dominate the fight. That’s the game plan. I believe I will finish him before then, but my focus is three rounds.” (Transcribed by BJPENN.com

Predicting his own win over Dariush, Chute Boxe staple, Oliveira claimed he would be entering his UFC 288 fight with the Iranian-born contender with the mindset of a “lion”