CHARLES OLIVEIRA FINISHES BENEIL DARIUSH IN THE VERY FIRST ROUND TO EARN HIMSELF A REMATCH FOR THE TITLE

WOW! Charles Oliveira just finished Beneil Dariush with ground-and-pound strikes in the first round of a fight that felt like a god damn WAR at UFC 289, and came off like an absolute superstar from the moment he walked out to the post-fight interview and exit from the cage.

Oliveira opened the fight with a flush head kick, Dariush traded and landed a few nice shots of his own, and then in a failed takedown attempt - Oliveira pulled guard! From there, we saw the grappling skill of both men cancel each other out to a degree, and Oliveira was eating Dariush up with elbows and hammerfists from the bottom. Dariush landed a few good shots of his own, but also seemed like he punched the mat more than he hit Oliveira.

When the two got back to their feet, Oliveira rocked Beneil - leading to a desperation takedown attempt from Dariush that eventually led to the finish. Just goes to show how much power Oliveira has in his hands. I mean - Justin Gaethje, who has been in as many firefights as anybody in MMA, was STUNNED at Oliveira's power after they fought. I think he's gone on record saying he's never been hit harder.

Being this was a title eliminator fight, to meet Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi likely this October, the Champ responded quickly....

....but Oliveira (who lost his UFC Lightweight Championship to Makhachev last October) said he's more than ready to travel overseas to Islam's backyard. 

He's as eager for the rematch as anybody, and after this performance, his superstar status among fans has only grown....

DC said it was DEAFENING in the arena for Charles after the fight, and I'm so glad that's the case. 

Charles Oliveira is one of the most exciting fighters in the world, and has been for quite some time now - he deserves all the love he can get from the fans. Especially after years of MMA fans claiming he was a "quitter"; what a crock of shit that narrative was.

Amanda Nunes vs Irene Aldana up next!