At UFC 309, Charles Oliveira reminded everyone why he’s such a dangerous competitor. He dismantled Michael Chandler with a unanimous decision and proved he is still a force to be reckoned with. But the fight everyone’s been whispering about isn’t with Chandler – it’s the potential showdown with Conor McGregor, a match that seems more like a fantasy than a reality.
During the post-fight press conference, Oliveira didn’t mince words. He broke down the potential fight with brutal honesty. Would it make sense? Absolutely. Would fans love it? Without a doubt. But will it happen? Not likely.
“This is the guy that runs away the most in the UFC. This fight is not going to happen. Would it make sense? Yes. Would it be a good fight? Yes. Would people love it? Yes. We both sell fights well, but he chooses his opponents. This fight is not happening,” the Brazilian fighter said.
The lightweight division is a shark tank, and Oliveira is swimming with a purpose. After losing his title to Islam Makhachev in 2022, he’s been working his way back into championship contention. Potential rematches with Justin Gaethje or Dustin Poirier loom on the horizon. Even a fight with Max Holloway makes more strategic sense.
Meanwhile, McGregor continues to be the UFC’s most complicated superstar. A broken toe pushed back his return to 2025, leaving fans and fighters in a perpetual state of waiting. Michael Chandler might be his next opponent, but in the world of combat sports, nothing is ever certain.
Charles Oliveira Reveals His Injury Before Fighting Michael Chandler
Fighting isn’t just about strength – it’s about heart, and ‘Do Bronx’ has heart in spades. Most athletes would’ve called it quits with a serious injury, but not Oliveira. He stepped into the octagon at UFC 309 with a secret that would’ve sidelined most competitors.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral MMA stories via Google! Follow Us
Just before his epic battle with Michael Chandler, Charles Oliveira was dealing with a knee injury that would make most fighters run for the hills. He tore two ligaments – an injury that typically demands four to six weeks of recovery. But Oliveira wasn’t about to let a potentially career-pausing injury stop him from chasing his dreams.
“If we win, we value it. But I had a knee injury. I tore or burst two ligaments. I was supposed to be out of action for four to six weeks. But I didn’t want to pull out of this fight at all because I knew that if I won, I could fight for the title again,” said Oliveira via UFC Fight Pass Brazil.
That’s the kind of warrior mentality that separates good fighters from great ones. He spent 15 to 20 days unable to train properly, focusing only on weight training to maintain his fitness. Every day was a physiotherapy marathon, managing pain and preparing for a fight many thought he might not survive.
Also Read: Charles Oliveira Sends Bold Message To UFC 311 Fighters After Dominant UFC 309 Victory
