Charles Oliveira is no stranger to the UFC lightweight division’s elite. He once dominated the 155-pound ranks, but in recent times, he’s also been on the receiving end of some tough losses. Two of those came at the hands of Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. With that in mind, Oliveira’s insights on a potential rematch between Makhachev and Tsarukyan carry a lot of weight.
In a recent interview with New York Post Sports, Oliveira shared his thoughts on the matchup. He emphasized that both Makhachev and Tsarukyan are very similar fighters with comparable skill sets. When asked to pick who he thought had the edge, Oliveira said that Makhachev is slightly ahead, especially when it comes to strength.
“As I said, whenever asked about this, I think that one of them is just a toe ahead of the other. I think Islam is a little step, a step ahead of Arman. I think he’s just stronger by a little bit. But I think when push comes to shove, any of them could win. That’s how I feel,” Oliveira said.
Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira clashed for the lightweight title in October 2022, with Makhachev emerging victorious via second-round submission. Oliveira’s loss was a hard pill to swallow, but he bounced back with a big win over Beneil Dariush. He went on to face another setback in April 2024 when he lost a razor-thin split decision to Arman Tsarukyan.
Charles Oliveira’s perspective is especially insightful as he knows firsthand the power of both men’s grappling. His comments reflect a deep understanding of their respective styles, as well as the things that can make a fight unpredictable.
Charles Oliveira Is Not Sure About His UFC 309 Fight Against Michael Chandler
Oliveira’s upcoming fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 309 has been the subject of intense speculation in recent days. With only a week to go, rumors began to swirl that the highly anticipated co-main event might be in jeopardy. But amidst all the chatter, Charles Oliveira himself has remained calm, offering a level-headed update on his fight.
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The former lightweight champion seemed unfazed when speaking in the same New York Post Sports interview. He revealed that despite the rumors, he believed his fight with Chandler was still on track. “We think it’s gonna happen, dude, I’m ready, I’m almost traveling, I’m about to go [to New York],” Oliveira said.
Charles Oliveira seemed more focused on his preparations than the outside noise. While fighters like Rento Moicano and Dustin Poirier put their names out there to step in on short notice, his confidence didn’t waver. He is ready to show the world that he belongs in the top echelons of the lightweight division.
Also Read: Charles Oliveira Urges UFC To “Help” Tony Ferguson Amidst His Relentless Refusal To Retire
