33 UFC stars and experts predict Oliveira vs. Dariush

On Saturday June 30, we will see one of the most anticipated lightweight bouts in a long time as former champion Charles Oliveira takes on the rising star Beneil Dariush at UFC 289.

Click “Next” to check out how MMA pros and experts predict the fight!

Alexander Volkanovski

Pick: Oliveira

Alexander Volkanovski thinks the former champ will come out with all guns blazing.

”Charles Oliveira TKO. He wants that title back”, Volkanovski says.

Jose Aldo

Pick: Oliveira

Former UFC champion Jose Aldo thinks it will be a hard and even fight.

”I’m rooting for Charles, I love him and hope he can get back to the winning tracks and to the belt, but it’s a very tough fight,” Aldo says.

Michael Chandler

Pick: 50/50

Lightweight contender Michael Chandler can see the fight go both ways.

”I think Beneil Dariush might actually have the edge in that one, but it’s honestly too close to call,” Chandler says.

Jan Blachowicz

Pick: Oliveira

Former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz got the former champion.

”I pick Charles Oliveira,” Blachowicz says.

Alex Pereira

Pick: Oliveira

Former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira roots for his countryman.

”Charles is a warrior. He has such a beautiful story, had such a difficult life,” Pereira said. “I think this fight was the right move,” Pereira says.

Mateusz Gamrot

Pick: Dariush

Top ranked lightweight Mateusz Gamrot believes in Beneil Dariush.

”For sure he’s going to win,” Gamrot says.

Rob Font

Pick: Oliveira

Top ranked bantamweight Rob Font thinks it will be an even fight at UFC 289.

”That’s a tough one, I go with Charles Oliveira,” Font predicts.

Dustin Poirier

Pick: 50/50

Top ranked lightweight Dustin Poirer can’t decide.

”It’s a coin toss to me. It depends on how Charles shows up,” Poirer says.

Bryce Mitchell

Pick: Oliveira

Featherweight Bryce Mitchell thinks the old champion gets it done at UFC 289.

”Charles Oliveira,” Mitchell predicts.

Grant Dawnson

Pick: Oliveira

Ranked lightweight Grant Dawson has Oliveira as the winner at UFC 289.

”I think Charles. Everybody’s picking Beneil,” Dawson says. ”Charles has lost to one guy and that is Islam Makhachev.”

Sean Brady

Pick: Oliveira

Ranked welterweight Sean Brady thinks it will be a even fight.

”Beneil is a tough motherfucker. His striking is real good, his grappling is real good, I’m still going to say Charles but I think it’s going to be a lot closer than some people might think,” Brady says.

Demian Maia

Pick: Oliveira

Two-time UFC title challenger Demian Maia roots for Oliveira.

“Charles has the advantage in jiu-jitsu, but Beneil is dangerous too. I think Beneil has the advantage in wrestling, and Charles has the edge on the feet because he’s more technical, he’s longer and bigger,” Maia says.

Veronica Hardy

Pick: Oliveira

UFC fighter and MMA commentator Veronica Hardy thinks the Brazilian veteran will come out on top.

”Oliveira,” Hardy says.

Dan Hardy

Pick: Dariush

MMA expert and commentator Dan Hardy thinks Beneil Dariush

”I’m a big fan of Oliveira but I can’t underestimate Dariush anymore,” Hardy says.

Geoff Neal

Pick: Dariush

Geoff Neal got Dariush as the winner in the pivotal fight.

”I think Beneil has this one,” Neal says.

Mackenzie Dern

Pick: Oliveira

Top ranked strawweight Mackenzie Dern has the former champion as her favorite.

”Charles,” Dern says.

Drew Dober

Pick: Dariush

Lightweight Drew Dober thinks Beneil will get it done at UFC 289.

”He’s going for that title for sure,” Dober says.

Curtis Blaydes

Pick: Oliveira

Top ranked heavyweight Curtis Blaydes goes with the well-rounded Brazilian 33-year-old.

”I think he has more weapons, more options” Blaydes reasons.

Nate Landwehr

Pick: Oliveira

Nate Landwehr, who also competes on the card, has the Brazilian as the winner.

”I’m going with Charles. I’m a fan ,” Landwehr says.

Brandon Royval

Pick: Oliveira

Flyweight Brandon Royval does not hesitate.

”Oliveira,” Royval says.

Chris Curtis

Pick: Dariush

Middleweight Chris Curtis, who appears on the prelims of 289, thinks Dariush will get the win in the co-main event.

”I got to go with my boy Benny,” Curtis says. ”He’s the most disrespected man in MMA.”

Chase Hooper

Pick: Dariush

Lightweight Chase Hooper wants Charles to win but thinks Dariush will get it done in the end.

”I’m probably picking Dariush,” Hooper reasons.

Vanessa Demopoulos

Pick: Dariush

Strawweight Vanessa Demopoulos thinks Beneil Dariush has the edge in the lightweight battle.

”I see Beneil winning that fight, Demopoulos says. ”I don’t think anyone has been hungrier in that division. I want to see him fight for a championship belt so badly.”

Adrian Yanez

Pick: Dariush

Bantamweight Adrian Yanez has a hard time picking a winner in the exciting lightweight matchup.

”I’m going with Beneil,” Yanez says.

Loopy Godinez

Pick: Oliveira

Strawweight Loopy Godinez belives in the Brazilian veteran.

”Charles Oliveira,” Godinez says.

Alexander Hernandez

Pick: Oliveira

Lightweight Alexander Hernandez thinks the Brazilian will win a close fight.

”I lean towards Oliveira,” Hernandez says.

Gerald Meerschaert

Pick: Dariush

Middleweight Gerald Meerschaert thinks Daruish will get it done at UFC 289.

”I’m going to go with Beneil Dariush,” Meerschaert says. ”He’s pulling tricks out of his hat.”

Gillan Robertson

Pick: Dariush

Submission artist Gillan Robertson expects one hell of a clash at UFC 289.

”It’s going to be a fight of the night guaranteed,” Robertson says. ”I got to go with Dariush.”

Bryan Barberena

Pick: Dariush

Welterweight Bryan Barberena thinks Beneil Dariush will get his hand raised at UFC 289.

”I think he possesses the skills to win,” Barberena claims.

Diego Ferreira

Pick: Dariush

Diego Ferreira lost a split decision to Beneil Dariush in 2021. However, he holds nothing against his former opponent.

”I love Oliveira, I like his style. But Beneil deserves to be there. I’m going for him,” Ferreira says.

Billy Quarantillo

Pick: Oliveira

Featherweight Billy Quarantillo thinks the former champion will win a tough fight.

”I’m going to go with Charles Oliveira,” Quarantillo says.

Cody Stamann

Pick: Dariush

Even though bantamweight Cody Stamann is a huge Oliveira fan he thinks Dariush will win on Saturday.

”I think Beneil is the hungrier of the two,” Stamann says.

Tim Elliot

Pick: Oliveira

Flyweight Tim Elliot likes the former lightweight king’s chances.

”I’m going to go with Charles Oliveira on that,” Elliot says. ”I’m a big Oliveira fan.”

This is Charles Oliveira

• Age: 33
• Record: 33-9-1
• UFC record: 22-9
• Weight: 155 lb (70 kilo)
• Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
• Reach: 74 in (188 cm)
• Post-fight bonuses: 18

This is Beneil Dariush

• Age: 34
• Record: 22-4-1
• UFC record: 16-4-1
• Weight: 155 lb (70 kilo)
• Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
• Reach: 72 in (183 cm
• Post-fight bonuses: 5

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