UFC 289 Best Bets: Odds & Predictions for Oliveira Vs. Dariush and Nunes Vs. Aldana (6/10/23)

The UFC 289 main card starts at 10:00 PM EST on Saturday June 10th. The feature fight of the night is a showdown in the women’s bantamweight division between Amanda Nunes and Irene Aldana. The co-main event, meanwhile, is a men’s lightweight clash between Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush.

Let’s take a look at odds for both fights and make some key predictions and best bets for each.

UFC 289 Best Bets

While most major sports are in the midst of an offseason, the UFC will be giving us an event every weekend for our viewing pleasure for the foreseeable future. This gives us MMA fans something to lean on until the return of football season, spending our late Saturday nights watching the carnage unfold in the octagon while also potentially making a few bucks in the process.

UFC 289 has no shortage of star-studded fights on paper with Amanda Nunes headlining the PPV against the feisty Irene Aldana. After losing her belt to Julianna Pena in stunning fashion, Nunes recaptured the gold in their rematch and now looks to defend it against Irene Aldana who has stepped in as Pena’s replacement after she sustained an injury while training. Charles Oliveira also looks to redeem himself after a title loss against Islam Makhachev, stepping into a number one contender fight against Beneil Dariush.

Charles Oliveira Vs. Beneil Dariush Prediction

Charles Oliveira has been the lead character in a feel-good story as he completely transformed his mindset into an eventual champion. Once having his career look bleak after shameful losses, Oliveira then went on a tear that eventually led to capturing UFC gold. His title reign was short-lived once Islam entered the picture, submitting the Brazilian with ease.

Oliveira now looks to get his revenge but first must get past Beneil Dariush. Dariush has quietly strung together an impressive eight fight win streak, yet failed to get a chance for the belt as he has struggled to win over the crowd. That can now all come to an end as it was already announced that the winner of this fight gets a chance for the belt.

While Dariush has patiently waited in the wings for his title shot, it may take a little more time as he draws a troublesome matchup against “Do Bronx”. Dariush will look to create space while standing up, playing into Oliveira’s hands as he creeps into the clinch off of contact. This negates Dariush’s quality of takedown opportunity, having to endure Oliveira’s elbows and backside control.

In honor of the greatest submission specialist in the UFC Charles Oliveira fighting tomorrow pic.twitter.com/FCYNeXhF4f

— Booby Boucher (@comedymcgee) June 9, 2023

You can make an argument it’s not much safer for Dariush to take this to the ground, even as an improved controlled grappler. The sporadic Do Bronx sets up his offense through his defense off his back, picking apart exposed limbs as an elite finisher.

While it wasn’t exactly settling to see Oliveira fold like he did against Islam as it brought flashbacks of his early days of giving up early in the fight, I am confident that Dariush poses as a much better matchup for the Brazilian to get back into a title fight. I am also considering a wager on under 1.5 total rounds.

Pick: Charles Oliveira Moneyline +130

Amanda Nunes Vs. Irene Aldana Prediction

Amanda Nunes is the greatest female fighter of all time and will look to add another win to her record when she faces off against Irene Aldana. Originally supposed to be a rubber match against Julianna Pena, Irene had to take this fight on short notice after Pena withdrew due to an injury sustained in training. A disappointment as Pena looked to capitalize on her original shocking victory over the champ, yet still in for a thrilling main event nonetheless.

Is Amanda Nunes the GOAT of WMMA? pic.twitter.com/5y2HXZnJfF

— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) June 5, 2023

Nunes has built her reign of championship dominance off of physically abusing her competition and this one should be no different. Nunes looked to be in incredible shape at their weigh in and has a massive striking and take down advantage. Landing over half her significant strikes, Nunes will control the gap as she creeps closer for a takedown opportunity.

Irene does excel at stuffing takedowns, possessing a takedown defense percentage of 81%. The issue is that she has not dealt with a striker like Nunes, getting worn and torn by Amanda’s power before an inevitable clinch situation. When clinched, Nunes can overpower her down to the mat.

Once on the ground, Nunes will look to exude her full power with an onslaught of ground and pound strikes. This weakens Irene’s defense, as well as exposing herself to a potential submission opportunity.

With rumors swirling that this may be Amanda’s last fight before a shocking retirement announcement, look for the female goat to go out in style by finishing this fight early off a dominant performance.

Pick: Nunes to win by either KO/TKO/Sub