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Charles Oliveira backed to KO rival Islam Makhachev in expected UFC title rematch: ‘I really believe in a knockout’

Charles Oliveira backed to KO Islam Makhachev in UFC title rematch As likely expected, Charles Oliveira’s head coach, Diego Lima has predicted a victory for his student against the incumbent lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev ahead of a potential rematch for UFC gold later this year, however, the coach remains supremely confident of a knockout stoppage. Oliveira, a former undisputed lightweight champion and the current number one […]

As likely expected, Charles Oliveira’s head coach, Diego Lima has predicted a victory for his student against the incumbent lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev ahead of a potential rematch for UFC gold later this year, however, the coach remains supremely confident of a knockout stoppage.

Oliveira, a former undisputed lightweight champion and the current number one ranked contender, most recently returned to the winner’s enclosure earlier this month at UFC 289, defeating the streaking Beneil Dariush with a stunning opening round ground strikes TKO success.

As for Makhachev, the Russian headlined UFC 284 back in February in Perth, Australia – defeating featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in a very close, unanimous decision success ‘Down Under’.

Sharing the Octagon back in October at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, UAE – Charles Oliveira saw his 12-fight winning run halted by Makhachev, who clinched the vacant lightweight crown, submitting the Brazilian with a stunning second arm-triangle submission win.

However, off the back of his ground strikes TKO win over Dariush earlier this month, Oliveira was backed to take on Makhachev in a title rematch by UFC leader, Dana White, who claimed he was excited to see a future re-run between the duo.

Charles Oliveira tipped to secure lightweight title with KO win over Islam Makhachev

And despite Makhachev claiming he wants a fresh opponent other than Oliveira in a potential return at UFC 294 in October, the latter’s coach, Lima expects the two to fight again – backing his student to land a win.

“It’s a knockout,” Diego Lima said of Charles Oliveira’s chances against Islam Makhachev during an interview with MMA Fighting. “It’s funny that people say, ‘But Charles (Oliveira) has the most submissions [in UFC history],’ but the fight starts on the feet and we have a lot planned for the striking – and it continues when we go to the ground.”

“(Michael) Chandler went down and Charles got the TKO,” Lima explained. “Charles could have gone for the mount and a submission. Charles is very strong. He’s attacking so well. That’s why I really believe in a knockout – but when they go down, then we have a submission.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Islam Makhachev welcomes fight with Dustin Poirier ahead of expected UFC 294 return in October

Despite substantial links to a title rematch with Charles Oliveira in his Octagon return later this year, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has welcomed the possibility of a title defense against former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier next. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 284 back in February, successfully defending the […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 284 back in February, successfully defending the title in a unanimous decision win over Alexander Volkanovski – besting the featherweight champion in Perth, Australia.

Winning the vacant lightweight crown against former champion, the aforenoted, Oliveira back in October of last year, Makhachev submitted the Brazilian on ‘Fight Island’.

And despite the former gold holder’s stunning return to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 289 earlier this month in his blistering win over Beneil Dariush, Makhachev has played down the chances he actually grants him a title rematch next.

Islam Makhachev welcomes fresh fight with Dustin Poirier next

In terms of next opponents for Makhachev, the Russian has weighed up the possibility that he fights former interim champion, Dustin Poirier next – with the Lafayette native slated to return to the Octagon next month.

“I don’t know,” Islam Makhachev said of his next opponent during a recent interview. “Maybe (Dustin) Poirier. “He has a big name in the UFC. Well – I can’t say for sure. Dariush lost, everything turned upside-down. I can’t say anything for now.”

Booked to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 291 at the end of July, Dustin Poirier, the current #2 ranked lightweight will rematch fellow former interim champion, Justin Gaethje in Salt Lake City, Utah – with the pairing also clashing for the symbolic BMF championship.

Poirier successfully returned to winning-ways at UFC 281 back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, submitting former vacant title challenger, Michael Chandler with a third round rear-naked choke.

Islam Makhachev plays down rematch with Charles Oliveira next: ‘I want a new name on my résumé’

Islam Makhachev has played down the possibility that he fights former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira in his Octagon return in October, claiming the UFC is also still undecided on whom will challenge for gold next. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, has been earmarked to headline UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, has been earmarked to headline UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, however, has yet to be official booked against a title challenger.

Sidelined since he headlined UFC 284 back in February of this year, Islam Makhachev defeated featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in a unanimous decision victory in Perth, Australia.

Linked heavily with a title fight rematch the aforenoted, Oliveira off the back of UFC 289 earlier this month – Sao Paulo finisher, Oliveira managed to retain his rank as number one contender at 155 pounds, defeating Beneil Dariush with a stunning opening round ground strikes TKO win.

Islam Makhachev plays down potential rematch with Charles Oliveira

Expected to fight Oliveira in a title rematch defense next, Makhachev has now, however, played down chances he actually faces the Brazilian again.

I was in the USA, met with the UFC, I asked for a fight in the summer,” Islam Makahchev said during a recent interview. “But, they told me that I wouldn’t have time to fight in Abu Dhabi, if I had a fight in the summer. They have a plan to organize a fight for me in Abu Dhabi.”

“The fight [with Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush] was good,” Islam Makhachev explained. “Oliveira won, but I was rooting for Dariush. I thought it would be a new challenge for me. Dariush had eight wins in a row. I don’t know. I can’t say yet if my next fight will be a rematch against Charles. We have to wait. Now, Justin (Gaethje) and Dustin (Poirier) will fight, and then the UFC will decide.”

In terms of preferred opponents, Russian wrestling ace, Makhachev claimed he wanted a fresh name and a new challenger to his lightweight throne.

“Of course, I want a new name on my résumé,” Islam Makhachev explained. “It’ll be better for me. If Oliveira will not fight me now, everyone will say that I’m avoiding him. I never choose my opponents. I will fight anyone the UFC gives me. I don’t think he can do anything. I’m not afraid of his grappling like the rest of the fighters. I can take him down at any time” (Transcribed by MMA Mania)

Dana White eyes Islam Makhachev – Charles Oliveira 2 following UFC 289: ‘That’s the fight that should happen’

Off the back of his stunning first round win against Beneil Dariush last night at UFC 289, Charles Oliveira may have punched his ticket for a title rematch at the lightweight limit with rival, Islam Makhachev – with promotional boss, Dana White chomping at the bit for the potential re-run. Co-headlining at the Rogers Arena […]

Co-headlining at the Rogers Arena in his Octagon return last night, Oliveira turned in a first round stoppage win over the streaking Dariush, handing the Iranian-born grappler a ground strikes TKO loss following a savage swarm at the Octagon fence, showing off his full striking arsenal to boot.

Referring to himself as the champion at the lightweight limit, Oliveira, the current #1 ranked contender and former undisputed champion, called for a title rematch with Makhachev in the immediate aftermath of his stoppage success, leading to a response from the American Kickboxing Academy mainstay as a result.

Previously sharing the Octagon with Makhachev at UFC 280 last October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Oliveira suffered a second round arm-triangle submission loss to the former, as the duo battled for the vacant lightweight title.

Dana White plays up Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira title rematch

And while remaining coy on a potential future rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira prior to the Brazilian’s exploits at UFC 289, White has now claimed that the rematch is the most logical fight next.

“He (Charles Oliviera) looked like a world-beater tonight, and I’m excited for him and Islam (Makhachev) fight again,” Dana White told assembled media following UFC 289. “It’s the thing that makes sense. I’ll tell you on Tuesday. But yeah, I mean, let’s not play games; that fight makes sense. That’s the fight that should happen. And I’m excited to see it again.”

“There’s a lot of things that go into consideration for the next [title] fight,” White explained. “I mean, I’m sitting here talking to you about him [Charles Oliveira] right now, and I don’t even know what’s wrong with him. He’s in medicals. I don’t know where he’s at and what he’s got planned over the summer. The list joes on and on of things that factor into how fights are made. But I’m just telling you right here right here that is a fight I’d like to see again.”

Dana White unsure of Islam Makhachev’s next opponent ahead of UFC 294: ‘I have no idea’

UFC president, Dana White has failed to shed light on the future of current lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev – claiming he is unsure if the victor of this weekend’s UFC 289 fight between Charles Oliveira, and Beneil Dariush will earn a shot at gold. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, managed to land his first […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, managed to land his first successful defense of the title at UFC 284 back in February in Perth, Australia – defeating his featherweight champion counterpart in a close unanimous decision triumph.

Winning vacant lightweight spoils last October, Islam Makhachev snapped the division-best 12-fight winning run of the above-mentioned former titleholder, Oliveira in Abu Dhabi, UAE – submitting the Brazilian with a second round rear-naked choke.

Dana White unsure on Islam Makhachev’s future

Expected to return to the Octagon at UFC 294 in October in the promotion’s return to the Middle East, Makhachev has yet to he officially booked for the pay-per-view event.

And despite many billing this weekend’s UFC 289 co-main event between Oliveira and Dariush as a title-eliminator, White appears unsold.

“I have no idea,” Dana White told assembled media at the UFC 289 press conference, regarding Oliveira’s and Dariush’s chances of fighting Makhachev with a win. “We’ll see how the fight goes on Saturday night but, yeah, it obviously makes a lot of sense.”

“Right here, right now, makes a lot of sense,” White explained. “We’ll see what happens.”

Furthermore, beyond this weekend’s clash between Oliveira and Dariush, next month’s UFC 291 rematch between former undisputed lightweight champions, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje have been tipped to potentially fight Makhachev next, with a resounding performance in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Charles Oliveira maintains he will fight Islam Makhachev again for title with UFC 289 win: ‘I’m next, I’m in line for it’

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has denied claims from Islam Makhachev’s head coach, Javier Mendez that he will miss out a rematch with the Russian even with a win at UFC 289 – maintaining he is next in line to the throne should he beat Beneil Dariush this weekend. Oliveira, the current #1 ranked […]

Oliveira, the current #1 ranked lightweight contender, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he headlined UFC 280 last October in Abu Dhabi, UAE – suffering a second round arm-triangle submission loss to Makhachev in the pair’s vacant title fight.

With the defeat, Sao Paulo native, Charles Oliveira saw his division-best 12-fight winning run halted by Makhachev, as well as missing out on the opportunity to reclaim gold which he lost to the scales at UFC 274 last May.

And now slated to co-headline UFC 289 this weekend in an expected title-eliminator against Dariush in Vancouver, Canada, Oliveira’s chances of securing a title rematch with Makhachev have already been shot down by the aforenoted, Mendez – who claims Dariush is the only contender elect with a win on Saturday.

“I want [Beneil Dariush] to win [at UFC 289] because I feel he deserves it,” Javier Mendez said. “And Charles (Oliveira), I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know if we’ll get Charles even if he does win. It’s all based on what the UFC looks at the algorithm for, who’s gonna get the most money. Charles winning is not gonna be enough.”

“I think it’s gonna be (Justin) Gaethje or Dustin (Poirier) that’ll get the shot if Beneil doesn’t win,” Mendez explained. “Beniel wins, he gets the shot. I want Beneil, only because he’s a great challenge and he deserves it. But if Charles wins, then, hey, good for him too. Then Charles will probably have to fight one more time.”

Charles Oliveira believes a win at UFC 289 will secure him title rematch with Islam Makhachev

However, according to Oliveira, neither incoming UFC 291 headliners, former interim champions, Dustin Poirier nor Justin Gaethje – whom the Brazilian holds a win over, will leapfrog him if he wins at UFC 289 this weekend.

“Whoever wins this fight [at UFC 289], this Saturday, is gonna go for the [lightweight] title [against Islam Makhachev],” Charles Oliveira told assembled media during his availability ahead of UFC 289 this weekend. “I’m next – I’m in line for it.”