A spectacular return! Former champion Oliveira asked for a title rematch, this is how he stopped Dariush in the first round and improved a fantastic UFC record

Charles Oliveira is back. At UFC 289, he returned to the cage for the first time since losing his title and a big challenge awaited him. Five-year undefeated Beneil Dariush. The Brazilian hunk, however, made an impressive comeback.

It was February 12, 2017, when Charles Oliveira lost to Paul Felder. That’s when an incredible run began that included 12 wins and a lightweight title shot along with two successful defenses.

But in October 2022, the popular fighter lost his title when he was stripped of it after a dominant performance by Islam Makhachev. The Brazilian didn’t put in an ideal performance in the fight, he didn’t look confident, quite the opposite.

We haven’t seen him in the cage since. Until now. He returned to the cage in the Bronx only now at UFC 289, where he faced a tough opponent in Beneil Dariush. He was supposed to face the American fighter, who has won his last eight fights, three years ago.

Now, moreover, it was a big deal. For the winner would probably get a chance to fight Makhachev for the belt. It was a question of what form Oliveira would return in. Dariush was even seen as the favourite.

However, Oliveira did not give in. He came back in great shape and beat Dariush by TKO in the first round. Dariush took Oliveira down fairly quickly, but the Brazilian threatened with nasty punches even from the bottom position and tried to find a way to get another submission.

Eventually, though, he was able to get up and began to dismantle the American in the posture. Once Dariush was shaken and went down, he at least tried to grab Oliveira’s leg and tried to take the fight to the ground, but the former champion didn’t allow that and went for another finish.

Oliveira notched his 20th UFC finish, improving the record for the most early finishes in the UFC, which he holds alone. An incredible feat and a great performance. He did it in four minutes and ten seconds.

Source: UFC, Twitter, Tapology