Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Charles Oliveira Breaks UFC Record with Most Awarded Post-Fight Prize Money Bonuses

Joseph Zucker

Charles Oliveira made history with his first-round TKO of Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 on Saturday.

The Brazilian earned a Performance of the Night bonus along with Mike Malott and Steve Erceg. MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew noted his 19 career post-fight bonuses are the most ever for a UFC fighter.

Oliveira landed more than twice as many signature strikes (26) as Dariush (12), and all but three of those targeted his opponent's head. He opened the fight by connecting on a head kick, and that set the tone for the brief encounter.

It was an emphatic statement from the 33-year-old coming off his second-round submission defeat to Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 last October. Makhachev tried to rain on his parade a little bit on social media.

A rematch may not be too long in the offing.

Oliveira entered Saturday night as the No. 1-ranked challenger in the lightweight division, and UFC president Dana White already tipped his hand as to Makhachev's next title defense. He said he's intrigued by the idea of a return bout with Oliveira but stopped short of confirming the matchup.

On that occasion, Oliveira would probably be happy to bypass a 20th post-fight bonus if it meant regaining the lightweight title.

   

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