UFC 288: Charles Oliveira forced to pull out from Beneil Dariush fight due to injury
- Liam Hampton
- 15 April 2023
Charles Oliveira’s return to the cage since losing his title to Islam Makhachev will have to wait, with the Brazilian ruled out of his fight against Beneil Dariush due to an injury.
Oliveira (33-9) hasn't fought since a submission loss to Makhachev at UFC 280 in October 2022. His bout with Dariush (22-4-1) was billed as a number one contender match for Makhachev's lightweight title.
An undisclosed injury was the reason Oliveira's team gave for him pulling out of the contest and his return date is currently unclear, with hope for a return at UFC 289 in June also seeming unlikely.
Arman Tsarukyan has called for a chance to step in via Twitter.
"You know there's no reason to postpone it, I'm just right here @beneildariush"
A matchup with Tsarukyan is potentially high risk for Dariush. The Armenian currently holds a 19-3 overall record and his mix of wrestling and striking makes him one of the most dangerous fighters in the lightweight division.
With Makhachev unlikely to return until Autumn, due to him observing Ramadan and the chance to headline in Abu Dhabi too good to turn down, the lightweight division has time to straighten itself out as it awaits the champions return.
Time could become a serious factor if Oliveira is to keep his claim as the number one contender though, as Alexander Volkanovski takes on Yair Rodriguez for the featherweight title at UFC 290.
That bout headlines the international fight week festivities and a win for Volkanovski in front of a packed crowd, plus his desire for a rematch with Makhachev, could see him leapfrog Oliveira in the running for a lightweight title shot.
