The UFC’s lightweight title picture became a little clearer after UFC 289 – or did it?
In the co-main event, former 155-pound champion Charles Oliveira made a statement in his first-round stoppage of Beneil Dariush. Not only did the result extend Oliveira’s UFC finishing record (20), but he ended an eight-fight winning streak of Dariush, who was promised a title shot if he were to win. Because of that, it would seem that Oliveira is the next in line for a shot at Islam Makhachev’s title.
But is the title picture that clear?
Before Oliveira returned to the win column Saturday at Rogers Center in Canada, he lost his previous outing to Makhachev at UFC 280 last October. Since that time, Makhachev has fought once; a successful title defense at UFC 284 vs. featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski.
Will the promotion look to run it back between Oliveira and Makhachev? Or will the winner of the upcoming BMF title fight between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje get the call for the next shot?
Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Mike Bohn, Dan Tom, and Brian “Goze” Garcia discusses the lightweight title picture with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia. You can watch their discussion in the video above and check out this week’s full episode below.
Video: Who’s next for Islam Makhachev after Charles Oliveira’s big win at UFC 289?
