Beneil Dariush has to work his way back toward the UFC lightweight title.

UFC 289 didn’t go according to plan for Dariush. Taking on the former champion Charles Oliveira in the evening’s co-main event, the Urmia, Iran, native’s impressive eight-fight winning streak was snapped.

The fight started competitively and primarily saw the action on the ground with Dariush working from top positions. Ultimately, “do Bronx” got back to his feet late in the round and put Dariush away with punches against the cage and on the ground that followed a staggering head kick. The loss was only the fifth in Dariush’s 28-fight career, but stung more than any other.

What was a vintage Oliveira showing feels like a night in quicksand for the 34-year-old contender.

“I just know that’s not the best version of me,” Dariush told Submission Radio (h/t MMA Mania). “I don’t know. For whatever reason that day, I was not on. I can’t explain it. I’m not gonna give too many excuses because I don’t want to take from Charles. He was the better man that night. He had a great victory. But that was definitely not the best version of me.

“What was weird was like, I can’t explain it, but at some point, it felt like my body was in … like, my eyes were good, but my body was slow motion. So, everything I wanted to do, I was one step behind. I couldn’t pull off the things that I was seeing. And then just balance maybe wasn’t the best either for some reason. I don’t remember the last time I threw a kick and slipped. I can’t explain it. I just didn’t feel like myself.”

A win for Dariush would have set him up as the expected next title challenger for Islam Makhachev in October at UFC 294. That luxury now likely goes to Oliveira in what will be a rematch of Makhachev’s crowning moment from the previous October. Makhachev won the UFC lightweight title with a relatively dominant showing, submitting Oliveira with a second-round arm triangle choke at UFC 280.

Dariush has never lost back-to-back fights and historically comes back stronger in his rebound efforts. No matter the outcome, Dariush was intending on getting at least one more bout in for 2023 and that goal remains the same, if not amplified after the tough loss.

“Right now in the room, I’m the best I’ve ever been,” Dariush said. “When I train in the room, I’m faster than before, I’m stronger than before. Technically, I’m superior than I was before. Everything is where it needs to be. And I’ve been able to do it obviously [in] the fights prior. But for some reason this time I wasn’t able to transfer that over into the octagon. I’m gonna figure out all the details of why I couldn’t do that and fix it.

“At this point, I just need to know that I’m healthy and I can get back inside that octagon. Man, please, before the end of the year. Like, I don’t wanna have to wait ‘til next year to fight, ‘cause it’s been so slow for me to get fights. So ideally, I would like to fight before the end of the year.

“Everybody’s trying to console me right now, everybody’s trying to make me feel better,” he continued. “Which is great. But at the same time, it’s like, I’ve been down before and I’ve been down worse than this, and God put me back together. So, I’m not too worried about the future, I’m just disappointed with my performance. The only thing I can really do is have another fight, show the world why I was considered such a contender.”

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TOP STORIES

Stop. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva again un-retires, asks to rematch last opponent “because I know I didn’t lose”

Matchups. Jared Cannonier only interested in fighting Khamzat Chimaev if it’s for a title shot: “I’m not looking back”

Knucks. Israel Adesanya recounts airport arrest following UFC 281 title fight loss

Headliner. “This is a Rocky movie”: Pros react to crazy Jared Cannonier vs. Marvin Vettori brawl at UFC Vegas 75

History. Jared Cannonier delivers record-breaking performance in main event war with Marvin Vettori at UFC Vegas 75

Problem. “You can’t make that type of mistake”: Pros react to Keith Peterson’s fight-altering blunder at UFC Vegas 75

Dads. MMA fighters celebrate Father’s Day

Next. Arman Tsarukyan: Beneil Dariush fight “makes sense,” but Michael Chandler would be first choice

Assessment. Anthony Smith on MMA’s fan base in 2023: “Once you get to a certain level, then they hate you”

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VIDEO STEW

Weekend recap.

Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou (finally) meet.

Ngannou’s first official PFL media appearance.

UFC in 1994.

Free fight.

Bellator 297 highlights.

RIZIN Confessions 126.

PFL 5, 2023 highlights.

Ngannou on the broadcast.

Volk’s prep.

Pereira and Strickland unite.

A day in the life of Durinho.

Fancy d’arce.

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MORNING MUSIC

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

If only.

Uh oh.

Cross-promotional beef.

Oh no.

Upset city.

Let’s just hope it actually happens.

UFC bound.

Ready to go.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Guram Kutateladze (12-3) vs. Elves Brener (14-3); UFC Vegas 76, July 1

Yana Santos (14-7, 1 NC) vs. Karol Rosa (16-5); UFC Vegas 76, July 1

Sean Woodson (9-1-1) vs. Steve Garcia Jr. (14-5); UFC Nashville, Aug. 5

Bruno Silva (13-5-2, 1 NC) vs. Cody Durden (15-4-1); UFC Vegas 79, Sept. 23

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Out of our poll options, I don’t think there’s a wrong option for Dariush. All great matchups.

Hope all the dads out there had a good and happy dad’s day yesterday. Thanks for reading!

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POLL POSITION

Last Week’s Results:

Friday: 66% of 419 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Are Charles Oliveira’s chances of beating Islam Makhachev better after having fought him once?”

Thursday: 72% of 503 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Will Islam Makhachev be a dual-division champion before he retires?”

Wednesday: x49% of 362 total votes answered “Patricio Pitbull and Vadim Nemkov” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” Sergio Pettis and Nemkovs both defeated Pitbull and Yoel Romero via unanimous decisions at Bellator 297.

Tuesday: 63% of 520 total votes answered “Marvin Vettori” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” Jared Cannonier defeated Vettori via unanimous decision in UFC Vegas 75’s main event.

Monday: 70% of 470 total votes answered “Charles Oliveira 2” when asked, “Who should be next for Islam Makhachev?”

Today’s exit poll:

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