PREVIEW: UFC 289

In the lead up to the main event, MMA fans can appreciate a high-level lightweight co-main event between former division champion Charles Oliveira and an unsung lightweight monster, Beneil Dariush.

Main event

Amanda Nunes 27/100 | Irene Aldana 24/10

After Amanda Nunes regained the bantamweight title close to a year ago, the two-division and two-time champion looks to successfully defend the belt yet again as she takes on a new and dangerous opponent Irene Aldana, who has stepped in on short notice.

Nunes’(22-5) two fights with Julianna Pena are example sof how any fighter can have a “bad night”. “The Lioness” roared her way back to the top of the division by dominating Pena from bell in Dallas after facing her first loss in more than seven years. She still remains the only fighter to have beaten everyone to previously hold the bantamweight title.

Irene Aldana (14-6) was preparing to face off with Raquel Pennington in what was perceived as a title eliminator on May 20th, but Pena’s injury opened the door for the Mexican challenger. The 35-year-old has earned back-to-back stoppage wins, winning four of her last five while possessing a great stand-up confrontation.

Verdict: Amanda Nunes Win 27/100

A fresh new challenge waits for Nunes in Aldana. She presents a few standup challenges for the champion that adds excitement to this main event. I expect both to start cautiously before going blow for blow later on. However, the Lioness’s power has always proved troublesome for even the toughest fighter.

Co-main event

Charles Oliveira 11/10 | Beneil Dariush 63/100

Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush were originally scheduled for UFC 288, and lucky for the fight fans across the world, the bout is the co-main event this weekend.

Charles Oliveira’s (33-9) incredible run that led to a lightweight title, a successful title defence and 11 consecutive victories overall was halted last year in Abu Dhabi by Islam Makhachev. This weekend, the 33-year-old Brazilian takes his first steps in a journey back to the top of the division.

For a few years, it looked as if Beneil Dariush (22-4-1) would be destroyed by injuries, sporadic marquee fights, and someone else always jumping ahead of him in the queue to challenge for championship gold. But without fuss, he’s kept winning and kept pushing forward to this final hurdle to the belt. The 34-year-old number four ranked lightweight in the world enters this tie on an eight-fight win streak.

Verdict: Beneil Dariush Win 63/100

This fight is a true mixed martial arts matchup, with either fighter more than capable on the feet, in the clinch, and on the ground. While the momentum heading into the fight is undeniably in the Dariush corner, however, the could I say, “cleanliness” of executing technique is in the favour of Oliveira.

We have seen the Brazilian finished on a few occasions, while Dariush has showed grit to come back after seeing dominated. Like the odds, I’m leaning towards the blue corner, but I can’t easily write off Charles.

Top Treble for UFC 289:

Nunes Win 27/100
Dariush Win 63/100
Anders Win 1/1

Treble to win at 30/10

Full card predictions

Main Card: 04:00 CAT, Sunday 11 April

• (W) Bantamweight (C) Amanda Nunes (27/100) vs Irene Aldana (24/10): Nunes
• Lightweight Charles Oliveira (11/10) vs Beneil Dariush (63/100): Dariush
• Welterweight Mike Mallet (44/100) vs Adam Fugitt (16/10): Mallet
• Featherweight Dan Ige (36/100) vs Nate Landwehr (19/10): Ige
• Middleweight Marc-Andre Bariult (7/10) vs Eryk Anders (1/1): Anders

Prelims: 02:00 CAT, Sunday 11 April

• Middleweight Nassourdine Imavov (59/100) vs Chris Curtis (12/10): Imavov
• (W) Flyweight Miranda Maverick (29/100) vs Jasmin Jacudavicius (23/10): Maverick
• Bantamweight Aeiman Zahabi (92/100) vs Qileng Aori (79/100): Zahabi
• Flyweight Kyle Nelson (37/20) vs Blake Bilder (38/100): Bilder

Early Prelims: 01:00 CAT, Sunday 11 April

• Flyweight David Dovrak (1/3) vs Steve Erceg (2/1): Dovrak
• (W) Strawweight Diana Belbita (83/100) vs Maria Oliveira (87/100): Oliveira