Charles Oliveira's Manager, Diego Lima, confirmed to KoiMenero that the former champion will return against Beneil Dariush at UFC 288 on May 6th.
This fight takes place in the Lightweight (155 lbs) division.
Charles Oliveira holds a professional record of 33-9-0 (21-9-0 1-NC UFC) and is currently ranked #1. His notable wins include Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Michael Chandler.
Beneil Dariush holds a professional record of 22-4-1 (16-4-1 UFC) and is currently ranked #4. His notable wins include Tony Ferguson, Mateusz Gamrot, and Carlos Diego Ferreira.
Official Odds have yet to be released.
Charles Oliveira would have been the UFC Lightweight Champion with 2 title defenses had his reign not been cut short at UFC 274 vs. Justin Gaethje, where he missed weight by 0.5 lbs and was consequently stripped of the title. However, he rebounded from losing his title by finishing Justin in a round, dropping him with strikes before choking him.
His next fight was the same story, but with him on the other end. He faced Islam Makhachev for the vacant title but lost via 2nd-round submission after being knocked down. Oliveira turned down an immediate rematch to regather himself and start anew. It seems he gets that chance in his next fight against one of the most game men on the roster.
That man is Beneil Dariush. Hailing from Iran and carrying the flag of an 8-fight win streak, his drive has never been stronger, and he's never been closer to a title shot. From his Comeback of The Year win vs. Drakkar Klose at UFC 248 to the Knockout of The Year contender he scored over Scott Holtzman, Dariush has produced fan-favorite moments his entire career. His several world championships in Jiu-Jitsu combined with one-shot knockout power make for one of the most dangerous skillsets wherever the fight goes.
Don't miss this fight between two of the most entertaining Lightweights on the roster. Let us know your prediction in the comments below.