Charles Oliveira Looks Back On UFC Loss To Islam Makhachev: "It Wasn't Me"
Former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira insists he didn't truly show up to his fight against Islam Makhachev.
Back in October 2022, Oliveira and Makhachev fought for the vacant 155-pound gold. Makhachev scored the second-round submission finish, snapping Oliveira's 11-fight winning streak. Now, "do Bronx" is hoping to rebound against Beneil Dariush.
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Ahead of UFC 289, which will feature Oliveira vs. Dariush in the co-main event this Saturday night (June 10), "do Bronx" spoke to reporters. Oliveira was asked about a slew of topics such as his weight cut and the Dariush fight.
(via Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports)
One of the questions Oliveira was asked had to do with that UFC 280 loss to Makhachev. As far as the Brazilian submission ace is concerned, he didn't fight Makhachev to the best of his ability.
"About that other fight, I didn't watch it, it wasn't me, I wasn't there," Oliveira said. "This is a different Charles. This is a Charles that's thirsty. The Charles that you're gonna see is the Charles that you know that's thirsty for victory, that's hungry, someone who's back at it, and a lion that's always hunting. That's the Charles that you're going to see."
Oliveira went on to say that the winner of his fight against Dariush will undoubtedly challenge Makhachev for the UFC lightweight gold.
"Surely," Oliveira said. "Whoever wins this fight this Saturday is gonna go for the title. I'm next, I'm in line for it."
Head over to our homepage for all the UFC 289 coverage you'll need this weekend. We'll be bringing you live updates and video highlights. Join us on Friday for the weigh-in results and our predictions for the main card.
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