Redemption: How Charles Oliveira Splattered Beneil Dariush
The King is Back
Charles Oliveira made a statement this past Saturday. The spectre of his comprehensive loss of the title loomed large, and many were doubting that an action-fighter such as Oliveira would be able to bounce back.
Beneil Dariush was a tall task. A southpaw with a smothering top game: these were two areas he struggled to overcome in his fight with Makhachev. While not as patient as the Dagestani, Dariush had bricks in his hands and a potent submission game of his own.
Beneil Dariush's Path to Victory
I had thought before the fight that sticking to front kicks, straight punch counters, the clinch, and an active bottom game would be Oliveira’s keys to victory based on moments of success he had against Islam. I instead witnessed Oliveira add a a new weapon to his arsenal.
Charles Oliveira's Path to Victory
Disclaimer: The video clips included in this article are not owned by the author. They are included for educational purposes only to illustrate key moments in the fighter’s career and demonstrate aspects of mixed martial arts techniques and strategies. All rights to the video content belong to their respective owners.
The Head Kick
Though elements of this played a part his path to victory took me by surprise. Oliveira’s answer to the southpaw problem? Head kick the piss out of him.
Oliveira’s first committed strike was a missed head kick.
He then cemented his intentions less than 10 seconds later, landing the first significant strike of the fight with a 1-2-head kick.
He attempted to follow with a floppy right hook as Dariush kicked the body in response.
After an engaging ground sequence where Oliveira got the better of Dariush from the bottom position, Oliveira began the finishing sequence with another 1-2-head kick that rattled through Dariush’s guard and sent him stumbling.
Oliveira again followed with the right hand but continued with a left hook that glanced the chin. Though he has trouble landing the left hook against southpaws, Dariush’s reaction to the head kick opened the opportunity for one of his most dangerous strikes. Oliveira also shows the value of continuing combinations past one or two strikes. Even if something doesn’t knock someone out, it might get them out of sorts enough to land a more devastating shot soon after.
The head kick was able to ameliorate Oliveira’s southpaw problem as it is one of the more devastating weapons in the open-stance matchup. Though Oliveira can hit teeps, front kicks, and leg kicks in closed or open stance, he has trouble landing his power shots: the left hook and rear straight (which you can read about here)
The opponent’s lead hand is often in the way of the left hook, and the same is true for the jab that sets up his rear straight. The right high kick can cause significant damage (unlike most open-side right body kicks: no liver) and has a significant impact even through a guard.
The same way Edwards knocked Usman out and the strike Robert Whittaker hits on everyone, the 1-2 is something of a throwaway shot. If something hits, great, but the real object of the rear straight is to get the opponent to anticipate punches and dip out to avoid the strikes. Even better if they try and parry the 2 which lowers their guard. They avoid a flush punch but invite a shin to the dome. Though it is one of the most classic combinations in kickboxing, same-side punch and kick combinations remain a brilliant strategy to play with opponent’s expectations.
Punish the Retreat
After Oliveira sent Dariush stumbling to the cage he did what he does best: finish fights.
In this sequence, you can see the Oliveira throws 5-punches in a row with his right hand. This is perfect as Dariush is circling out towards his left (Oliveira’s right), and thus Oliveira can punish his retreat by pressuring to make him run into his right hand.
What I love most in this sequence is Oliveira’s missed right straight as Dariush circles which he uses to switch stances. He follows with a small jab (now in southpaw) to tap Dariush saying “I’m right here” and finishes with a perfect long right hook off his new lead side that nails Dariush right in the chin. Referred to as “lever punching”, this is a great example of a fighter using 3 different punches off of the right hand and a stance switch to play with Dariush’s distance management and punish his retreat.
Oliveira is then able to drop Dariush after again switching stances with a right hook behind the head. Dariush uses this moment of chaos to attempt a double, which Oliveira stuffs finishes him off with well controlled ground and pound.
Power Bottom
(Credit to Craig Jones)
The grappling was easily the most anticipated part of this matchup. Though it did not factor heavily into the finish, the submission king vs. one of the more credentialed grapplers in the UFC was an exciting prospect.
Though Dariush was able to remain on top, he was getting out struck by Charles from bottom position. Oliveira never stops moving and attacking from the bottom. Rather than executing his own offense, Dariush was forced to constantly defend Oliveira’s attacks:
Hammer Fists + Elbows
Up Kicks
Leg Entanglements
Oliveira is a nightmare to deal with from bottom position, as even most of Dariush’s ground and pound whizzed by Oliveira’s head and thudded into the mat.
Charles Oliveira shocked many on Saturday and has ignited the belief that a rematch with Makhachev can be dramatically different than their first dance. I certainly think it can be, and I cannot wait to see Do Bronx make magic happen again. Good luck champ.
