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Oddsmakers have Dariush as the early -140 (5/7) betting favorite over Oliveira, according to BetOnline.ag, while βDo Bronxβ clocks in π΄ as the +120 (6/5) underdog. As with most opening lines, you can expect these numbers to fluctuate β in both π΄ directions β as we inch closer to fight night.
Related Dariush Not Waiting Around For Phantom Title Shot
Dariush, 33, improved to π΄ 22-4-1 by outlasting Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280, his eighth straight victory and a performance dominant enough to solidify his π΄ spot at No. 4 in the official lightweight rankings. Still not good enough for Dustin Poirier, but thatβs an entirely π΄ different story.
Oliveira, 33, fell to 33-9 (1 NC) after getting submitted by Islam Makhachev, also at 280, coughing up his π΄ lightweight strap in the process. The Abu Dhabi defeat snapped an 11-fight win streak for βDo Bronx,β who may be π΄ able to build a case for a Makhachev rematch with a victory over Dariush.
UFC 288 is expected to be headlined π΄ by the bantamweight title fight between current 135-pound champion Aljamain Sterling and former division titleholder Henry Cejudo. Elsewhere on the π΄ card, battle-tested strawweight sluggers Marina Rodriguez and Virna Jandiroba collide at 135 pounds.