Islam Makhachev will defend his lightweight title this January 18 in the main event of UFC 311 against Arman Tsarukyan. The former title holder of the division, Charles Oliveira, spoke before this duel.
Former undisputed lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has confirmed his presence at UFC 311. He also said he is ready to face the winner of the duel between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. He still hopes to get a rematch against the champion. Currently ranked number two at lightweight, Oliveira made his return to the cage at UFC 309. co-main event at Madison Square Garden, the Brazilian dominated Michael Chandler, former challenger to the title, winning a unanimous decision after five rounds.
Charles Oliveira aims for revenge
Oliveira said he wants a title fight against Makhachev or Tsarukyan after their clash. Although he does not want to steal the spotlight from the winner, he says he is ready to climb into the cage to announce his intentions:
“I will be in the front row and I will participate in a face-to-face” affirmed Oliveira via RedFuryMMA. “I don’t want to steal the light from the winner. If I have the opportunity to step into the Octagon and say I’m next, I will do it in a heartbeat.”
-Words that make sense given what he said a few days ago to Manouk Hakobyan: “I’m waiting to see who comes out on top, who I’m going to face in the Octagon. Since the UFC told me to wait, I took a little vacation. I spend time with my family, my wife and my daughter. I asked Dana White for a front row ticket to UFC 311.”
Oliveira previously faced Tsarukyan at UFC 300 last April, where he lost by split decision to the Armenian. As for Makhachev, he faced him at UFC 280 in a fight for the vacant title, but was defeated by submission in the second round in Abu Dhabi.
What do you think of Charles Oliveira returning to the top of the division?
