Charles Oliveira uninterested in selling UFC 300 fight with words: ‘When that door closes, I’m a lion hunting’

MixCollage 11 Apr 2024 11 17 AM 2844Charles Oliveira isn’t interested in a war of words with his UFC 300 opponent. This Saturday night (April 13)…

MixCollage 11 Apr 2024 11 17 AM 2844

Charles Oliveira isn’t interested in a war of words with his UFC 300 opponent.

This Saturday night (April 13) ‘Do Bronx’ will return to the Octagon for a lightweight title eliminator fight with streaking division standout Arman Tsarukyan.

Charles Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan

Despite the high stakes at play, both camps have stayed relatively quiet. At least, that was until ‘Ahalkalakets’ went on the record accusing Oliveira of being a one-trick pony ahead of their main card clash in Sin City.

“Charles is good at one thing: taking his opponent’s back and choking him out from that position,” Tsarukyan said in a translated interview with Red Corner MMA.

Tsarukyan later clarified that he was simply trying to sell his fight with Oliveira since it’s been nothing, but silence on the former champ’s side of things.

Charles Oliveira fights Tsarukyan at UFC 300

Asked about Tsarukyan’s comments during his appearance at Wednesday’s UFC media event, ‘Do Bronx’ made it clear that he wasn’t interested in lobbing verbal jabs at his opponent.

“Some people sell the fight in a different way. Some people are going to say things, and it doesn’t matter,” Oliveira said through a translator. “I sell the fight in just one way: When that door closes, I’m a lion hunting. That’s what I do. That’s my style of selling a fight” (h/t MMA Junkie).

Charles Oliveira Refuses to look past arman tsarukyan

Even if you agree with Tsarukyan’s claim that Charles Oliveira is one-dimensional, you can’t deny that it has worked well for him for much of his career. After all, ‘Do Bronx’ is the UFC’s all-time leader in finishes with sensational wins over the likes of Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Beneil Dariush. If he can bag another highlight-reel-worthy W against Tsarukyan, Oliveira expects his next fight to be for lightweight gold.

Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s looking past the task at hand.

“Dana even said it, that I’m next in line,” Oliveira said. “Then I got injured. Then Islam allegedly is injured, as well. A lot of people are going to say things, but let’s wait. Let’s take one thing at a time. Let’s get this one on Saturday and then we’ll talk about it.”

Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev

Watch Charles Oliveira’s full UFC 300 media day appearance below:

Charles Oliveira claps back at Arman Tsarukyan pre-UFC 300: ‘He doesn’t know how bad I want to be champion’

Charles Oliveira claps back at Arman Tsarukyan has no idea how much I want to be champion UFC 300Charles Oliveira is ready to let his fighting do his talking against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 on Saturday….

Charles Oliveira claps back at Arman Tsarukyan has no idea how much I want to be champion UFC 300

Charles Oliveira is ready to let his fighting do his talking against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 on Saturday.

Oliveira is set to fight Tsarukyan on Saturday in a potential No. 1 contender fight at lightweight. It’s a very intriguing matchup, and in the lead-up to the fight, Tsarukyan took aim at Oliveira’s record as he said the Brazilian is limited to taking his opponents’ backs and submitting them with rear-naked chokes.

Charles Oliveira given UFC 301 title fight rematch with Islam Makhachev lifeline in May
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

“People say what they want, right?” Charles Oliveira said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “If I only have that, and I have 16 submissions on my [UFC] record, I guess they were all from the back, right? And I guess the knockouts I have weren’t knockouts, they were submissions. It’s too much bulls*** they talk. It was said that I’m a quitter, but I was knocked down, walked forward and knocked them out. I also heard I’m not hungry, that I don’t want it anymore. He doesn’t know how bad I want to become champion again.”

Oliveira knows Tsarukyan is a solid well-rounded opponent so the Brazilian is expecting a very tough fight on Saturday at UFC 300.

Charles Oliveira vows to finish Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300

Charles Oliveira enters his UFC 300 scrap as the betting underdog, but the Brazilian has confidence he can pull off the upset.

Arman Tsarukyan stops. Beneil Dariush with brutal knee knockout at UFC Austin highlight
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Oliveira believes he has all the tools to defeat Tsarukyan, and thinks he can finish him to have another statement win.

“Of course, I want to knock him out. I want to submit him. I want the win, and I don’t want to leave it to the judges. The worst thing that can happen is leave it to the judges, so I will go for it the entire time. Of course, very strategically, making things happen. He’s super tough, has good striking and good takedowns, but I’m 100 percent ready for this. I’m not worried about what Arman can bring, but with what I can do. It’s all about me being happy and bold, and having my hand raised.”

Charles Oliveira eyes Conor McGregor fight after UFC 300 that's the one we want
Mandatory Credit: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

If Oliveira wins, he thinks he could get a title shot next, but isn’t ruling out being Conor McGregor’s return opponent.

Charles Oliveira claps back at Arman Tsarukyan pre-UFC 300: ‘He doesn’t know how bad I want to be champion’

Charles Oliveira claps back at Arman Tsarukyan has no idea how much I want to be champion UFC 300Charles Oliveira is ready to let his fighting do his talking against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 on Saturday….

Charles Oliveira claps back at Arman Tsarukyan has no idea how much I want to be champion UFC 300

Charles Oliveira is ready to let his fighting do his talking against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 on Saturday.

Oliveira is set to fight Tsarukyan on Saturday in a potential No. 1 contender fight at lightweight. It’s a very intriguing matchup, and in the lead-up to the fight, Tsarukyan took aim at Oliveira’s record as he said the Brazilian is limited to taking his opponents’ backs and submitting them with rear-naked chokes.

Charles Oliveira given UFC 301 title fight rematch with Islam Makhachev lifeline in May
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

“People say what they want, right?” Charles Oliveira said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “If I only have that, and I have 16 submissions on my [UFC] record, I guess they were all from the back, right? And I guess the knockouts I have weren’t knockouts, they were submissions. It’s too much bulls*** they talk. It was said that I’m a quitter, but I was knocked down, walked forward and knocked them out. I also heard I’m not hungry, that I don’t want it anymore. He doesn’t know how bad I want to become champion again.”

Oliveira knows Tsarukyan is a solid well-rounded opponent so the Brazilian is expecting a very tough fight on Saturday at UFC 300.

Charles Oliveira vows to finish Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300

Charles Oliveira enters his UFC 300 scrap as the betting underdog, but the Brazilian has confidence he can pull off the upset.

Arman Tsarukyan stops. Beneil Dariush with brutal knee knockout at UFC Austin highlight
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Oliveira believes he has all the tools to defeat Tsarukyan, and thinks he can finish him to have another statement win.

“Of course, I want to knock him out. I want to submit him. I want the win, and I don’t want to leave it to the judges. The worst thing that can happen is leave it to the judges, so I will go for it the entire time. Of course, very strategically, making things happen. He’s super tough, has good striking and good takedowns, but I’m 100 percent ready for this. I’m not worried about what Arman can bring, but with what I can do. It’s all about me being happy and bold, and having my hand raised.”

Charles Oliveira eyes Conor McGregor fight after UFC 300 that's the one we want
Mandatory Credit: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

If Oliveira wins, he thinks he could get a title shot next, but isn’t ruling out being Conor McGregor’s return opponent.

Arman Tsarukyan unfazed by Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 300 fight: ‘He’s nothing special’

Arman Tsarukyan unfazed by Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 300 fight he's nothing specialAttempting to earn his first championship fight under the promotion’s banner next month at UFC 300, surging Armenian contender,…

Arman Tsarukyan unfazed by Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 300 fight he's nothing special

Attempting to earn his first championship fight under the promotion’s banner next month at UFC 300, surging Armenian contender, Arman Tsarukyan claims that while former champion, Charles Oliveira presents a tricky stylistic matchup for the division – the Brazilian is simply “nothing special” overall. 

Tsarukyan, the current number four ranked lightweight contender, enters his officially billed title eliminator clash with Oliveira in the midst of an impressive three fight winning run, most recently stopping common-foe, Beneil Dariush a one-sided first round KO loss inside just a minute in their UFC Fight Night Austin main event in December.

Arman Tsarukyan stops. Beneil Dariush with brutal knee knockout at UFC Austin highlight
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

As for Oliveira, the Sao Paulo finishing star has been sidelined since last June, where he returned to the winner’s enclosure with an eye-catching first round win of his own over Iranian-born challenger, Dariush, with a ground strikes TKO success

Charles Oliveira’s ability played down by Arman Tsarukyan

And drawing the streaking Tsarukyan next month in a main card opener at UFC 300 in Las Vegas, Oliveira, who along with the European will vie for a title rematch with Islam Makhachev, has had his ability played down by his incoming foe.

Charles Oliveira coach confirms UFC return links to Arman Tsarukyan fight the champ is back
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“Charles (Oliveira) is good at one thing: taking his opponent’s back and choking him out from that position,” Arman Tsarukayn told Red Corner MMA. “He has long limbs, so he’s good at taking the back, locking the triangle, and finishing the submission. But overall, he’s nothing special.”

“He has some tricks when pulling guard, but nothing extraordinary,” Arman Tsarukyan explained. “He’s got a great back-mount game where he chokes everybody out. This morning, we worked on these types of situations – what I should do if I get caught in that position. We’re working on it, but we shouldn’t let this happen in the fight.”

Who wins at UFC 300 next month: Charles Oliveira or Arman Tsarukyan?

Arman Tsarukyan unfazed by Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 300 fight: ‘He’s nothing special’

Arman Tsarukyan unfazed by Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 300 fight he's nothing specialAttempting to earn his first championship fight under the promotion’s banner next month at UFC 300, surging Armenian contender,…

Arman Tsarukyan unfazed by Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 300 fight he's nothing special

Attempting to earn his first championship fight under the promotion’s banner next month at UFC 300, surging Armenian contender, Arman Tsarukyan claims that while former champion, Charles Oliveira presents a tricky stylistic matchup for the division – the Brazilian is simply “nothing special” overall. 

Tsarukyan, the current number four ranked lightweight contender, enters his officially billed title eliminator clash with Oliveira in the midst of an impressive three fight winning run, most recently stopping common-foe, Beneil Dariush a one-sided first round KO loss inside just a minute in their UFC Fight Night Austin main event in December.

Arman Tsarukyan stops. Beneil Dariush with brutal knee knockout at UFC Austin highlight
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

As for Oliveira, the Sao Paulo finishing star has been sidelined since last June, where he returned to the winner’s enclosure with an eye-catching first round win of his own over Iranian-born challenger, Dariush, with a ground strikes TKO success

Charles Oliveira’s ability played down by Arman Tsarukyan

And drawing the streaking Tsarukyan next month in a main card opener at UFC 300 in Las Vegas, Oliveira, who along with the European will vie for a title rematch with Islam Makhachev, has had his ability played down by his incoming foe.

Charles Oliveira coach confirms UFC return links to Arman Tsarukyan fight the champ is back
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“Charles (Oliveira) is good at one thing: taking his opponent’s back and choking him out from that position,” Arman Tsarukayn told Red Corner MMA. “He has long limbs, so he’s good at taking the back, locking the triangle, and finishing the submission. But overall, he’s nothing special.”

“He has some tricks when pulling guard, but nothing extraordinary,” Arman Tsarukyan explained. “He’s got a great back-mount game where he chokes everybody out. This morning, we worked on these types of situations – what I should do if I get caught in that position. We’re working on it, but we shouldn’t let this happen in the fight.”

Who wins at UFC 300 next month: Charles Oliveira or Arman Tsarukyan?

Video – Arman Tsarukyan dives into freezing ice lake ahead of Charles Oliveira fight at UFC 300

Arman Tsarukyan swims in freezing ice lake ahead of UFC 300 fight with Charles OliveiraRamping up his preparations for his officially-billed title eliminator fight with former champion, Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in…

Arman Tsarukyan swims in freezing ice lake ahead of UFC 300 fight with Charles Oliveira

Ramping up his preparations for his officially-billed title eliminator fight with former champion, Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April, surging lightweight force, Arman Tsarukyan braved the conditions – diving into and swimming in a ice-cold freezing lake ahead of the pivotal clash as he continues training camp.

Tsarukyan, the current number four ranked lightweight contender, most recently headlined UFC Austin back in December, turning in a devastating first round KO win over perennial contender, Beneil Dariush.

As for Oliveira, the former undisputed lightweight champion has been sidelined since last June at UFC 289, snapping his winless run in Canada with a similarly blistering first round win over common-foe, Dariush, stopping the Iranian with ground strikes for a TKO triumph. 

Arman Tsarukyan swims in 20 below conditions ahead of UFC 300

And drawing Sao Paulo finisher, Oliveira at UFC 300 in April, Armenian contender, Tsarukyan was spotted diving into a freezing ice lake ahead of the bout – taking preparations for his championship eliminator to a whole new level. 

“Arman Tsarukyan swimming in ICE cold water ahead of his UFC 300 fight vs. Charles Oliveira.” 

Enjoying a largely roughshod run through lightweight contenders besides Mateusz Gamrot, and current undisputed gold holder, Islam Makhachev, Tsarukyan has landed victories of note over Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Matt Frevola, Joel Alvarez, Damir Ismagulov, and Joaquim Silva to name a few. 

Slated to headline UFC 294 back in October in a championship rematch fight with the aforenoted common-foe, Makhachev, Oliveira – the promotion’s most prolific finisher and submission threat, was forced from the bout after suffering a nasty laceration in the weeks leading up to the bout. 

Who wins at UFC 300: Charles Oliveira or Arman Tsarukyan?