The UFC returns to Vancouver on Saturday for the first time since 2019 with a GOAT in the main event as the illustrious Amanda Nunes headlines UFC 289 inside Rogers Arena.
Nunes, widely considered the greatest female fighter of all time, defends her bantamweight title against Irene Aldana. After reclaiming the belt last summer and avenging a submission loss to Julianna Peña, Nunes is looking to secure her first bantamweight title defense since a unanimous decision against Germaine de Randamie in November 2019. Although Peña’s shock upset remains fresh in the minds of fans. , Nunes’ dominance and past victories over legends like Ronda Rousey and Cris “Cyborg” Justino speak volumes.
With an impressive MMA record of 22-5 and 17 finishes, Nunes always showcases his formidable skills. Saturday should be no different against Aldana. Nunes, at -325, is a solid favorite over Aldana, which is +255 at BetMGM.
Saturday’s UFC 289 also includes the highly anticipated fight between Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush. The lightweight showdown is undoubtedly the most interesting and potentially thrilling fight of the evening.
Oliveira, the former UFC lightweight champion, is aiming to bounce back from his title loss to Islam Makhachev last October. With exceptional grappling and an elite shot, Oliveira’s presence in the Octagon guarantees an electrifying clash.
Dariush, also adept at grappling, has honed his striking abilities, propelling him into a legitimate title contender. The collision between these top lightweights in Saturday’s co-main event should ignite Rogers Arena and ultimately decide who deserves the next title.
Oliveira’s fights rarely reach the judges’ scorecards, epitomizing his relentless pursuit of finishes. With a record 33 wins, 30 have come decisively inside the distance. Of those wins, 21 were sealed by submission and nine by knockout, leaving just three settled by decision. His losses, however, feature a mix of knockout losses, submission setbacks, and a single decision loss.
Dariush, too, has a penchant for finishing fights, but not as often as Oliveira. His professional record of 22-4-1 includes 13 finishes, including eight submissions and five knockouts. It was eliminated three times and submitted once.
UFC 289 live stream
UFC 289 Main Card, Odds (Live Now on ESPN+ PPV)
All odds via BetMGM.
• Women’s bantamweight championship: Amanda Nunes (-325) against Irene Aldana (+255)
• Lightweight: Charles Oliveira (+120) against Beneil Dariush (-145)
• Welterweight: Mike Malott (-210) against Adam Fugitt (+170)
• Lightweight: Dan Ige (-250) against Nate Landwehr (+200)
• Middleweight: Marc-André Barriault def. Eryk Anders via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
UFC 289 Prelims Results, Highlights
• Middleweight: Nassourdine Imavov against Chris Curtis ends without contest (accidental header)
• Women’s Flyweight: Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Miranda Maverick via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Bantamweight: Aiemann Zahabi beats. Aoriqileng by KO at 1:04 from R1:
• Featherweight: Kyle Nelson beats. Blake Bilder via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 39-28)
UFC 289 preliminary results
• Flyweight: Steve Erceg def. David Dvorak via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Women’s Strawweight: Diana Belbita beats. Maria Oliveira by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)