Charles Oliveira is ready to put an end to the talk from Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The former UFC lightweight champion has been on an absolute tear warpath since his last defeat in Dec. 2017 to Paul Felder. Winning 11 straight bouts, Oliveira has yet to meet someone who can match his continually evolving skillset. Well, aside from the weigh-in scale, that is.
At UFC 274 this past May, Oliveira missed weight ahead of his championship bout against Justin Gaethje. As a result, “Do Bronx” became the first champion in UFC history to be stripped of the title due to their inability to hit the championship limit. It made no difference on fight night, however, as Oliveira went on to submit Gaethje with a first-round rear-naked choke.
Oliveira is all but guaranteed to be in the vacant title tilt, whenever that may come. In the minds of many, the logical dance partner for the all-time leader in UFC submissions is surging Dagestani dominator, Islam Makhachev.
Mentored by one of the sport’s all-time greats in Khabib Nurmagomedov, the two have been very vocal over recent months about how it’s time for Makhachev to get his shot.
“If they really want it, they need to chase the champion,” Oliveira told Ag. Fight. “I chased the champion, right?! Then I became the champion. I want to fight in December. Do you really want this?! So let’s do something cool. Now I’m talking to you. Let’s fight in January in Brazil? Isn’t that what you really want? So sell it more. But look at this, Khabib, you’ve already tried three premonitions about me and missed all three.
“Look, I won’t say I’m going to submit or knock him out, but I’ll beat him. Listen to this, I will beat Islam Makhachev. The division’s problem is called Charles Oliveira. That’s the division’s problem. It doesn’t matter what they say. If they really want it, I want it, too. Look, forget about Conor McGregor now, forget it. In Brazil, Charles Oliveira against Islam Makhachev. Is this the fight you want? So we will have it. Charles Oliveira against Islam Makhachev in Brazil.”
During his reign as champion, Oliveira played with the idea of a matchup against another former champion, Conor McGregor. But post-Gaethje victory, he’s let it be known that it’s the No. 1 fight he’s eying at present, majorly thanks to the payday that comes along with it.
Though never lacking in confidence, Oliveira is now open to taking things a step further with his attempts to prove doubters wrong.
“I’ll beat him (Makhachev). So who knows, maybe you come of retirement and come too?!” Oliveira said of Nurmagomedov. “Each one says what they want. I am the division’s problem. I have one of the best jiu-jitsu [games] in the division and in the UFC. I think these guys are talking too much. They want to get in my mind, but that’s not possible.
“The guy was champion, 29 wins in a row, and never said anything. He always sold the fight in a good way, really damn well and today he is always talking a lot. If it’s to talk, I’m gonna say it. I’ll beat Islam Makhachev and then challenge Khabib to come back from retirement. It’s the fight everyone will want to see. Isn’t that what everyone will want to see? Everyone says Khabib is f****** tough. I respect him a lot, but lately, he’s been talking too much.”
TOP STORIES
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Goodbye. Donald Cerrone reveals he was ready to retire before fighting Conor McGregor: ‘I just was doing it for all the wrong reasons’
Bold. Khabib Nurmagomedov ‘loves’ Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira in Brazil, predicts Makhachev will ‘finish him with Brazilian jiu-jitsu style’
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
UFC 276 Post-Fight Show.
Kayla Harrison After PFL 6 Win: ‘I’m Just Scratching the Surface’
UFC Vegas 58: Dos Anjos vs Fiziev – July 9 | Fight Promo.
Every Time The Bellator Bantamweight Belt Changed Hands.
Was Sean O’Malley Beating Pedro Munhoz Before The Eye Poke?
Laura Sanko Reacts I UFC’s Best Spinning Knockouts.
LISTEN UP
On To the Next One. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss the matches to make after UFC 276.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Impressive.
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) July 4, 2022
Preach.
Dont harass fighters because you bet on them and they lost. You made the decision to bet not the fighter. You cost you money. You lost 20 bucks on some crazy 8 fighter parlay. When we lose, we lose half our pay, thousands of dollars.
Be better https://t.co/ZclRDHPJQw— Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) July 4, 2022
Athletes don’t give a fuck about your parlay
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) July 4, 2022
Eyes on the prize…
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) July 4, 2022
Holidays.
Happy Birthday, America You’re not perfect, but I love you so much. Born in the USA What song gives you guys the ‘Merica ❤️ feels? #4thOfJuly #4THJULY pic.twitter.com/JtAHEWISnQ
— Laura Sanko (@laura_sanko) July 4, 2022
It’s still real to me, damn it.
8 years ago today, Miguel tried to jump across the stage at the Billboard Music Awards.
He didn’t quite make it, and the Miguel leg drop meme was born.pic.twitter.com/Z0q6SanQ16
— Pigeons & Planes (@PigsAndPlans) May 19, 2021
Respect.
Absolute legend brother https://t.co/11xzuVS7es
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) July 3, 2022
Control yourself.
Edward scissorhands strikes again! #UFC276
•https://t.co/VivrNRvyUx pic.twitter.com/Sy1zDh1W5Q— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 4, 2022
Observation…
HO
LY
SHIT!Sean, did you cover up the footprints tattoo of your children with a dragon tattoo? @SugaSeanMMA #ufc #UFC276 pic.twitter.com/jgY6bXpTuN
— Matt “The Mangler” Bessette (@Mangler_MMA) July 4, 2022
Interesting.
Nothing I can’t handle… but first the English #P4P #ANDSTILL pic.twitter.com/KJCnGtR4xl
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) July 4, 2022
Wisdom.
Simple truth in life – you aren’t yourself when you’re that thirsty. Keep your cool, be a professional, especially in public. Your insecurities are showing.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 4, 2022
If it makes you happy.
Besties.
Bad men.
Four champs, one picture
[ via @Stylebender | #UFC276 ] pic.twitter.com/Ea9Fbexm4a
— UFC (@ufc) July 4, 2022
Stats.
Post #UFC276, Israel Adesanya has the second lowest UFC finishing rate amongst the current champions with Carla Esparza the only fighter below Stylebender. pic.twitter.com/Ck0OW3fc1c
— Andy Hickey MMA (@AndyHickeyMMA) July 4, 2022
Poor Ryan.
Ryan Garcia gets left hanging by Mike Tyson pic.twitter.com/dkYaOacdDJ
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) July 5, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ariane Lipski (14-7) vs. Priscilla Cachoeira (11-4); UFC Vegas 59, Aug. 6
FINAL THOUGHTS
I don’t care that he’s been wanting the McGregor fight. You simply cannot love Charles Oliveira. We won’t see the Khabib fight, but oh, how I wish we could have. Thanks for reading!
POLL POSITION
Last Week’s Results:
Friday: 54% of 417 total votes answered “Sean O’Malley” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” O’Malley vs. Pedro Munhoz was declared a no-contest at UFC 276 after Munhoz suffered an unintentional eye poke.
Thursday: 60% of 595 total votes answered “Sean Strickland” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” Alex Pereira defeated Strickland via first-round knockout at UFC 276.
Wednesday: 53% of 535 total votes answered “Alexander Volkanovski” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” Volkanovski defeated Holloway via unanimous decision in the UFC 276 co-main event.
Tuesday: 80% of 525 total votes answered “Israel Adesanya” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” Adesanya defeated Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision in the UFC 276 main event.
Monday: 52% of 386 total votes answered “Mateusz Gamrot” when asked, “Who do you think should have won the main event?” Gamrot defeated Arman Tsarukyan via unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 57.
Today’s exit poll:
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