SUMMARY
- Charles Oliveira opened up about why he took the Arman Tsarukyan fight at UFC 300.
- Oliveira does not want to wait too long between fights.
Charles Oliveira is set to face Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in a #1 contender match for the UFC Lightweight Title. Many believed that Oliveira was in line for a title shot even without the #1 contender fight. However, Oliveira claimed that he would have got his title fight at the end of the year and he did not want to take such a long break from fighting.
It’s all coming together for #UFC300 🙌@CharlesDoBronxs vs @ArmanUFC pic.twitter.com/RRIyaV8txf
— UFC (@ufc) January 9, 2024
Oliveira last fought Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 in June 2023. He defeated Dariush via TKO in the first round. Do Bronx was scheduled to face Islam Makhachev for the title at UFC 294 but the Brazilian backed out due to injury. Technically, he is due a title shot.
Charles Oliveira accepted the Arman Tsarukyan fight because he did not want to wait too long
In a recent interview with MMA Mania, Oliveira was asked why he took up the Tsarukyan fight even though he was next in line for a title shot. A loss against the Armenian fighter would deteriorate his title fight chances.
Charles Oliveira reveals why he took the Arman Tsarukyan fight:
“I’m employed by Zuffa so I need to accept what they bring to me.
If I was to wait for the title I would [have] fought only in the end of the year, and I don’t like to wait too much to fight. I would be like… pic.twitter.com/eKOWBFtDN1
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 27, 2024
Do Bronx said, “First of all, I’m employed by Zuffa so, I need to accept what they bring to me… If I was going to wait for the title, I would fight only at the end of the year, and I don’t like to wait too much to fight… I would be waiting for one year almost. So, that’s why I accepted this challenge.”
Charles Oliveira, a former lightweight champion, lost his title because he missed weight before his title defense against Justin Gaethje. He defeated Gaethje and the title remained vacant until he fought for it against Makhachev. The Russian fighter made Oliveira submit and won the title. As of now, Makhachev has defended his title twice. Both defenses were against Alexander Volkanovski – a natural featherweight fighter.
Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier agree to fight in June 🏆 pic.twitter.com/swnDtY1ITu
— MMA UNCENSORED (@MMAUNCENSORED1) March 11, 2024
Makhchev has got the rumor mill running along with Dustin Poirier. It is believed that ‘Diamond’ will get a title shot in the summer before Oliveira. However, the Brazilian is not stressing over it.
Charles Oliveira believes Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier is just ‘internet’ talk
Initially, Poirier was spotted getting into a conversation with Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz at UFC 299. It was reported that the pair talked about a title fight to be scheduled for June 2024.
Later, Makhachev and Poirier took to X to reiterate that plan. Many felt that Charles Oliveira would be overlooked but he was not worried. “I don’t even think about that, to be honest,” Oliveira told MMA Mania. “This is information that comes from the internet, and people talk a lot on the internet. I’m not worried about that. I know that I’m the next in line.”
The BMF title will be on the line at #UFC300 🚨@Justin_Gaethje & @BlessedMMA collide in a 5-round lightweight bout to see who’s the BADDEST of them all! pic.twitter.com/1TJE1h1cPT
— UFC (@ufc) January 17, 2024
Another big lightweight fight at UFC 300 is between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway. ‘The Highlight’ will be defending his BMF title against ‘Blessed’. Gaethje is also on the lookout for a title shot against Makhachev and if he defeats Holloway he will also be in the conversation again. The UFC lightweight division is well-poised for some cracking fights in the coming months.