Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira expects to face Islam Makhachev before Ramadan, and hopes a title fight will fill the card for UFC 299, which takes place March 9.
The Brazilian’s head coach, Diego Lima, told Sherdog in an interview.
“Charles wants the rematch with Makhachev to take place in March before Ramadan – that’s our main goal,” the Brazilian said. “But if the UFC wants us to wait until after Ramadan, we will do it. We are not in a hurry. The most important thing for us is for Charles to fight Islam next.”
If the fight doesn’t take place at UFC 299, the Brazilian is ready to face the Russian at UFC 301, which is rumored to be hosted by Rio de Janeiro on May 4.
“The tournament in March is our priority, but Charles has long dreamed of fighting for the belt in front of his countrymen. The O’Malley and Vera fight has already been announced as the main event for UFC 299, UFC 300 will probably feature a McGregor vs. Chandler fight, so the UFC 301 tournament in May could be a good option”
Recall that the rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira was supposed to headline UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi on October 21, however, two weeks before the event, the Brazilian suffered a dissection and dropped out of the fight, giving up his title shot to Alexander Volkanovski, who already lost to the Russian by knockout in the first round.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/33341-v-komande-olivejry-nazvali-dve-daty-dlya-boya-s-makhachevym.html?rand=19907
