UFC 289: Nunes Retains the Belt and Retires, Oliveira Trashes Dariush

The UFC 289 saw the two-division champ, Amanda Nunes, defending her title and, after that retiring, and it also saw Charles Oliveira obliterating Beneil Dariush.

Amanda Nunes had no trouble against Irene Aldana, beating the Mexican in their UFC bantamweight title clash via unanimous decision, 50-43, 50-44, 50-44. This was Nunes’ best performance in the past two or three years, with her ripping apart the rival who was stunned by how the Brazilian broke her defense.

But what shocked the fans wasn’t her fantastic display, yet the decision Lioness announced after the fight. She retired.

“Double champion forever,” Nunes said. “This is the perfect night to retire.”

Amanda Nunes says goodbye. pic.twitter.com/qpYLxxPoBz

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 11, 2023

One of four persons ever to hold two different weight classes, and the only female, ended her career in a masterful way. Nunes would prove her status, and cement the legacy against the solid Mexican, who got the chance to fight for the title a bit too early and completely wasted it.

It was planned for Julianna Pena to clash with Nunes, in their third bout, but the Venezuelan had to withdraw from the event due to her rib injury.

Nunes mentioned that she wants to recover well after years of fighting, especially focusing on the nerve damage she earned in her legs. The Lioness holds the record for most wins in the UFC women’s history, 16; she has 11 title battles, also the most among the ladies, the same as her 10 finishes. Her overall MMA record is 23 wins and 5 defeats.

In the co-main event of the night, Charles Oliveira reminded everyone that he still has what it takes to be an elite lightweight by knocking out Beneil Dariush. The Brazilian was the underdog before the battle, but we warned that he has more experience and predicted his victory in our Dariush vs. Oliveira preview.

Oliveira’s right high kick landed on Dariush’s head, and from that moment on, it was all about the Brazilian who jumped on the rival, and started pounding him until the match was stopped within a minute and a half until the end of the first round.

It was his 20th UFC finish, the most of all the fighters in the division.

CHARLES OLIVEIRA FINISHES BENEIL DARIUSH

THE CHAMPION HAS A NAME pic.twitter.com/opzXk0yTSB

— Charles Oliveira Stan (@MMA_Burner941) June 11, 2023

Oliveira called out the reigning champion, Islam Makhachev, after the fight, asking for a rematch and stating that he only has an interest in that. Given the current situation in the division, it is realistic to expect to see the two meet up again this summer or early in the autumn.

On the other side, Dariush was on an eight-win streak and needed this victory to secure himself a title shot. However, the Iranian-born didn’t stand any chance against Oliveira. His previous performances were good, but the rivals Dariush faced weren’t even close to the former champ.

In other fights of the night, Mike Malott beat Adam Fugitt via guillotine choke in the second round. The veteran Dan Ige was better than Nate Landwehr, via unanimous decision, and Marc-Andre Barriaut was better than Eryk Anders also via unanimous decision. Chris Curtis and Nassourdine Imavov’s battle ended with no contest due to an accidental clash of heads.