Longtime Charles
Oliveira coach Diego Lima believes “do Bronx” is essentially the most
logical contender for the subsequent light-weight title shot.
Oliveira was dethroned by Islam
Makhachev through second spherical submission at UFC 280 on October
2022 in Abu Dhabi. Oliveria subsequently knocked out Beneil
Dariush to earn a right away rematch in opposition to Makhachev on the
similar venue a yr later at UFC 294. Nonetheless, “do Bronx” was compelled
out on 10 days’ discover as a consequence of a grotesque lower suffered in sparring.
The Brazilian was changed by Alexander
Volkanovski, who suffered a brutal head kick knockout in opposition to
Makhachev.
Oliveira then dropped cut up determination in opposition to fellow contender
Arman
Tsarukyan in a title eliminator at UFC 300. Whereas Tsarukyan was
provided a right away title shot in opposition to Makhachev, who was adamant
on combating in the summertime, “Ahalkalakets” turned it down due the
fast turnaround.
Though Makhachev had expressed curiosity in combating Justin
Gaethje as nicely, “The Spotlight” suffered a lopsided TKO loss
in opposition to former featherweight champ Max
Holloway at UFC
300. The title shot in the end went to Dustin
Poirier courtesy of stoppage win in opposition to Benoit St.
Denis at UFC
299 this previous March.
Poirier gave Makhachev a run for his cash en path to a
fifth-round submission loss in the principle occasion at UFC 302
on June 1. Makhachev is subsequent anticipated to defend his title at
UFC
308 in October in Abu Dhabi. Whereas Tsarukyan ought to ideally be
the subsequent title contender, the Armenian is presently suspended for
throwing a punch at a fan at UFC 300. With Tsarukyan out of motion,
Lima has made it clear to the UFC that Oliveira is eyeing the subsequent
title struggle in opposition to Makhachev.
“They talked loads, we talked. I advised him my concept, what I might
like. However now we’ve to attend for them to additionally provide you with what
they suppose for Charles,” Lima advised Ag.Battle (translation through Championship Rounds). “They actually like Charles. They
need the very best for Charles. And I definitely made it clear that we
needed to return to the belt path. Each Charles and I need the
belt.
“Now with Arman suspended, there can be no title apart from
Charles
Oliveira. Charles is second within the rankings and in the event you have a look at
the rankings, there’s nobody to struggle with Makhachev. Poirier simply
fought, Gaethje additionally acquired knocked out. So the reality is that with
Arman out of the sport I consider there is no such thing as a one at 155 to struggle
Makhachev apart from Charles.”
Whereas the NSAC banned Tsarukyan for 9 months, it will likely be diminished
to 6 months if he participates in an anti-bullying public service
announcement, making him eligible to compete by Oct. 12 — two weeks
forward of UFC 308 on Oct. 26.
