.png)
According to reports, Charles Oliveira will make his octagon comeback on May 6 at UFC 288. 'do Bronx' will fight for the first time since losing his lightweight title to Islam Makhachev in October at UFC 280.
Oliveira's coach Diego Lima reportedly confirmed the booking to MMA journalist lvaro Colmenero following numerous reports of a possible booking against veteran top contender Beneil Dariush. Colmenero tweeted the following:
"🥳 Diego Lima, Charles Oliveira's manager and coach, confirmed to me that Oliveira will fight Beneil Dariush on May 6 at UFC 288."
Charles Oliveira's eleven-fight winning streak came to an end in the UFC 280 main event when he was submitted by Islam Makhachev in the second round.
Beneil Dariush in contrast, is riding a remarkable eight-fight winning streak that was culminated with a resounding decision victory over rising Polish contender Mateusz Gamrot.
Recently, the former lightweight UFC champion revealed that negotiations with Dariush's camp were underway between his managers, Jorge Patino and Diego Lima. If he can win the fight against "Benny," Oliveira plans to challenge for the championship at the end of the year.
“It’s true that we are negotiating to face Dariush, who is coming from a gigantic sequence of wins,” Oliveira admitted. “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 strongly down the rumour when it was brought up that he went to Perth in addition to being the backup fighter in case Volkanovski or Makhachev were unable to compete.
"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.”