Former UFC Lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is reportedly set to return to the octagon at UFC 288 on May 6. In UFC 280 Islam Makhachev pulled off a sensational submission over Oliveira to win the lightweight title. Makhachev defeated Oliveira with a brilliant arm triangle to choke him.
Popularly known as ‘do Bronx’, Oliveira will return to face Beneil Dariush in what is essentially a #1 contender fight. Dariush is currently riding an eight-fight win streak, four of which came via finish. He’s been hunting for a big opportunity for a while now and in May, he will get it in the form of former champ Do Bronx. Oliveira’s coach Diego Lima reportedly confirmed the booking to MMA journalist Álvaro Colmenero.
“Diego Lima, Charles Oliveira’s manager, and coach confirmed to me that Oliveira will fight Beneil Dariush on May 6 at UFC 288.” Colmenero wrote on Twitter.
? Diego Lima, mánager y entrenador de Charles Oliveira, me confirmó que peleará contra Beneil Dariush el 6 de mayo en el UFC 288.
? Diego Lima, Charles Oliveira's manager and coach, confirmed to me that Oliveira will fight Beneil Dariush on May 6 at UFC 288. @BigMarcel24
— KOlmenero (@KOlmeneroMMA) February 9, 2023
That’s a moment where we have to think: Charles Oliveira
Oliveira, ironically, recently told Sherdog that his managers Jorge Patini and Diego Lima were in talks with Daurish’s team over this exact contest. The former UFC lightweight champion is eying for a title shot at the end of the year against the winner of Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev.
“It’s true that we are negotiating to face Dariush, who is coming from a gigantic sequence of wins. My managers Jorge Patino and Diego Lima are taking care of that. As I said in other interviews, that’s a moment where we have to think with reason not emotion. I must fight the one who will take me to the title shot. My plan is [to] fight April or May, and fight again for the belt by the end of the year [against] the winner of Alexander Volkanovski and Makhachev.” Oliveira was quoted as saying by Sherdog.
The Brazilian champ was also asked about the rumor that he traveled to Australia to serve as the reserve fighter if Volkanovski or Makhachev couldn’t show up. In reply, he said, “No way,” Oliveira exclaimed with a laugh. “I just weighed 187 pounds this Wednesday. I came here to help my teammate and do some jobs for the UFC.”
