Charles Oliveira has been a UFC fighter for over a decade and has suffered some tough losses over the years, but that never stopped him from chasing UFC gold.
But his submission defeat to Islam Makhachev? This was a different setback than the ones of the past.
Oliveira came up short in his attempt to reclaim his lightweight title against Makhachev at UFC 280, losing via second-round submission. Now booked in his comeback fight against Beneil Dariush on May 6 at UFC 288, which could decide the next No. 1 contender, Oliveira admitted that the Makhachev loss is a night he never plans to revisit — even on film.
” I don’t watch this fight. Oliveira stated Wednesday that she has not watched the fight on The MMA Hour HTML1. “I’ve seen all of the fights I lost but this fight is the one that I haven’t watched or won’t.
“He was better than me that night and won. The next time we meet I will not change anything. I intend to be the same Charles going forward. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Dariush had hoped to become Makhachev’s next opponent after eight consecutive UFC wins, which included decisions over Tony Ferguson, Mateusz Gamrot and Mateusz Gamrot. However, he will now have to overcome Oliveira. The former champ thinks a title shot is also on the line for him at UFC 288, even though he already lost to Makhachev in dominant fashion less than a year ago.
” If God blesses and this is the time and I beat Benny, I’ll become the next challenger before the end of 2011, no doubt,” Oliveira stated. I deserve that .”
“We’re talking about the UFC and the UFC thinks too much about things, but there’s definitely no other name to be mentioned,” he continued. “Beating Dariush means I am the next title contender. It’s me, it is mine. Because I was able to go fight in the hometown of my opponent, I am next. Winning this fight on May 6, I’m definitely next.”
Oliveira had won 11 consecutive fights prior to his setback against Makhachev, a run that included finishes over the likes of Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, and Kevin Lee. Now he has vengeance on his mind — and he’s coming with all he has in May.
“[Dariush] “He is an outstanding man, and I owe him all the respect in this world. But I have never been able to fight hunger with such intensity,” Oliveira stated. I’m hungry for victory. I want to win, I want to become champion again. We have to go step by step, and then, [after] winning against ‘Benny,’ I’m definitely the next contender.”
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/3/2/23621076/charles-oliveira-never-watch-loss-islam-makhachev-demands-title-shot-ufc-288-beneil-dariush?rand=96749
