Ranking the Best Fights From the Historic UFC 300 Card

It’s almost time for UFC 300. The landmark event goes down on April 13 in Las Vegas, and it can fairly be called one of the most anticipated cards the…

It’s almost time for UFC 300. The landmark event goes down on April 13 in Las Vegas, and it can fairly be called one of the most anticipated cards the…

Charles Oliveira looks sharp in new training footage as odds slash ahead of UFC 300 fight with Arman Tsarukyan

Charles Oliveira looks sharp in new training footage as odds slash on UFC 300 fight with Arman TsarukyanFormer undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has been sharp and on-point ahead of his UFC 300 title-eliminator against Arman…

Charles Oliveira looks sharp in new training footage as odds slash on UFC 300 fight with Arman Tsarukyan

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has been sharp and on-point ahead of his UFC 300 title-eliminator against Arman Tsarukyan next month, with the Brazilian receiving plaudits for his striking prowess in new training footage released.

Oliveira, the current number one ranked lightweight contender, has been out of action since last June, successfully returning to the winner’s enclosure with an emphatic win over common-foe, Beneil Dariush with a first round ground strikes TKO win.

And as for Armenian contender, Tsarukyan, the surging contender himself turned in a similarly blistering win over Iranian veteran, Dariush in his last walk, atop a UFC Fight Night Austin card in December.

Charles Oliveira prepares for UFC 300 return

Both opening and remaining a notable betting underdog to beat Tsarukyan next month on the main card of UFC 300, Oliveira is closing the distance with the bookies – including with some of the best blockchain-based casino brands – with the promotion set to return to ‘Sin City’ for its next pay-per-view card in Las Vegas in the form of the massive spectacle in Nevada.

Seeing a division-best unbeaten run come to a staggering end back in October of 2022, Charles Oliveira was submitted by current champion, Islam Makhachev in the pair’s long-anticipated vacant title fight, succumbing to a second round arm-triangle choke submission loss.

And slated to fight his Russian rival a year later at UFC 294 last annum, just weeks out from the bout, the Sao Paulo finisher was forced to withdraw after he suffered a notable laceration on his right eyebrow during a sparring session. 

With his loss to Makhachev, Charles Oliveira’s stunning finishing streak in championship fights also came to an end, following a knockout win over Michael Chandler, as well as a pair of back-to-back submissions of former interim titleholding duo, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. 

Maintaining his confidence in beating Charles Oliveira and earning his own respective rematch with Makhachev later this yeat – who himself is welcoming the chance to fight Poirier in a June comeback, Tsarukyan claimed the Brazilian was not overly “special”.

“Charles (Oliveira) is good at one thing: taking his opponent’s back and choking him out from that position,” Arman Tsarukayn said. “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.”

However, in new training footage on the pads this week, Charles Oliveira – who is yet to bleach his head traditionally ahead of his fighting return at UFC 300, appears to be in razor-sharp condition and has turned up his ever-evolving striking arsenal once more under the watchful eye of Chute Boxe coach, Diego Lima – who has guided the promotion’s most prolific finisher to lightweight spoils previously with aplomb. 

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?

Benoit Saint-Denis plots future fight with Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 299 return: ‘I want to submit him’

Benoit Saint-Denis plots future fight with Charles Oliveira after UFC 299 I want to submit himUFC lightweight Benoit Saint-Denis sets his sights on battling the division’s biggest game in their own arena.  In just…

Benoit Saint-Denis plots future fight with Charles Oliveira after UFC 299 I want to submit him

UFC lightweight Benoit Saint-Denis sets his sights on battling the division’s biggest game in their own arena. 

In just six UFC fights, Saint-Denis now finds himself facing off with No.3 ranked Dustin Poirier and one win away from the very peak of the sport. What makes it even more impressive is Saint-Denis only started training in 2017, a year in which Poirier would defeat both Jim Miller and Anthony Pettis. 

However, this gap in experience does not phase Saint-Denis in the slightest, already feels like he is able to beat the very best that 155lb has to offer. A former soldier in the French Special Forces, Saint-Denis has taken this elite mindset and applied it to MMA. The 27-year-old is committed to building a well-rounded arsenal which could match anything that an opponent has to offer. 

Benoit Saint-Denis eyes Charles Oliveira scrap

Talking with Middleeasy, Saint-Denis would expose his highly competitive nature and passion for the sport. The Frenchman stated that he wants to beat the division’s very best using their own skillset. 

“I try to train as hard and with as much intelligence as I can, having a great channel to become a better fighter in every art of mixed martial arts,” said Saint-Denis.

“I want to submit [Charles] Oliveira, I want to knock out Justin Gaethje, and I want to win a tactical fight against [Islam] Makhachev. I want to be in the best shape and as dangerous as possible in every aspect of the fight and to win those fights.”

Benoit Saint-Denis and Dustin Poirier are set to do battle in the co-main event slot of UFC 299 over five-rounds. If their past performances are anything to go off, the contest is set to be a tear-up which could see both men put in some difficult positions. 

Who wins, Dustin Poirier or Benoit Saint-Denis?

UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev confirms summer 2024 return: ‘I have to defend my belt’

Islam MakhachevIslam Makhachev is eyeing a return to the Octagon in the summer of 2024. The reigning UFC lightweight world…

Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev is eyeing a return to the Octagon in the summer of 2024.

The reigning UFC lightweight world champion was last seen in October scoring his second-straight victory over featherweight titleholder Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294. Effectively closing out his rivalry with ‘The Great,’ Makhachev is ready for a fresh matchup at 155.

Speaking with MMA Squad, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ revealed that his next fight is being targeted for June or July of this year.

“June/July I have next fight,” Makhachev said I did just one training every day, nothing like hard. But I’m still training everyday because I am a champion, I have to defend my belt, I have to be ready.”

Makhachev was originally scheduled to run it back with his UFC 280 opponent — Charles Oliveira — last year in Abu Dhabi, but ‘Do Bronx’ sustained a cut while training, forcing him out of the contest. Volkanovski stepped in on 11 days’ notice and suffered the consequences via a first-round KO.

With Oliveira competing against Arman Tsarukyan in a lightweight title eliminator at UFC 300, Justin Gaethje has emerged as the favorite to face Makhachev for the 155-pound crown next.

Gaethje will also be in action at the promotion’s next big landmark event on April 13, defending his BMF title against former world champion Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway. Whether ‘The Highlight’ wins or loses, it will likely not affect his status as the next man in line for Makhachev, but as they say in MMA — anything can happen.