‘On a Big Streak, but Who Did He Fight?- Charles Oliveira Dismisses Islam Makhachev Ahead of Potential Clash

Posted on by Matt James

Former UFC champion Charles Oliveira spoke out on ESPN Brazil and downplayed his likely next opponent in Islam Makhachev. After getting stripped off his title at UFC 274 for missing weight, Oliveira will now face the Russian to determine the champion of a belt that is currently vacant.

‘Do Bronx’ doesn’t seem particularly moved with the way Islam Makhachev has been performing and he’s confident in his ability to come out on top in a massive way when they eventually clash. Moreover, Oliveira isn’t impressed with the caliber of opponents Islam Makhachev has faced in order to reach this stage of his title contention run.

“I’ve never ran from a fight and the lightweight champion is called Charles Oliveira,” Oliveira said in an interview with ESPN Brazil (h/t ESPN). “Is Islam a very tough guy? Yep. Did he fight big names? No. He’s on a big streak, but who did he fight?”

“I don’t care about his fighting style,” Oliveira said. “What he does best, I do 10 times more. If he thinks that putting down everyone (on the ground) he (fought) is the same thing as (fighting) Charles Oliveira, he is completely wrong.”

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Additionally, Oliviera favored his odds in a stylistic sense and is excited to build on his legacy with a win over Makhachev, who is considered by some as his stiffest competition.

“It would be a very good fight for me,” Oliveira said. “It would put a lot of money in my pocket, and (at this moment) that’s the most important thing. And it would also be really good for my legacy, for me to have in my story.” [h/t mmajunkie.com]

“Regardless, if he’s coming from defeat or not, he’s a guy who’s made history, so I think it would be great. But it’s not just up to me. If it were up to me, this fight would already be happening.

Charles Oliveira is clearly fired up to make his move against Makhachev and firmly establish himself as the best lightweight on the planet. He’s already racked up 11 straight wins and is always chasing the next defining victory that can inch him past the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov and BJ Penn.