SAO PAULO — Charles Oliveira wanted a rematch with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev after knocking out Beneil Dariush in June 2023, but there is also a scenario where they fight again after UFC 300 instead of challenging for the belt. be.
Oliveira will face Arman Tsarukyan on April 13 in Las Vegas, but Oliveira's manager and Chute Boxe head coach Diego Lima told MMA Fighting that he will book a rematch with Makhachev after the big fight. He explained why he would rather face Conor McGregor in a welterweight contest. pay-per-view program.
“It would be great to fight McGregor,” Lima said. “McGregor made history.
“Professionally speaking, [fighting him] That would be incredible. If we have the opportunity to fight McGregor at welterweight after this fight, we will fight him. But what about belts? OK, God willing, we'll be fighting for the belt after that. But we know that in McGregor's case, the creature became larger than its creator. We know that McGregor was already considering this fight if the opportunity presented itself. If we really have this opportunity, that's what we want. ”
Lima revealed that McGregor had privately texted Oliveira in the past and asked him to wait for his return instead of facing Makhachev, but Oliveira's team said the Irish star was still recovering from a broken foot. Because it was inside, I refused it.
McGregor is finally gearing up for a return in 2024, and Oliveira's team is loving the idea right now.
“I beat McGregor, so I'm sure I'll get the belt,” Lima said. “There's no way we can beat McGregor and not fight for the belt next time. One after another.
“McGregor really wants to fight.” [International] Fight week. who knows? Of course, one fight at a time. Armand is very tough and really great. Charles is 100 percent focused on Armand and not thinking about Makhachev or McGregor. me too. I'm just watching Armand's fights and planning strategies for Armand. I'm not going to start watching McGregor or Makhachev fights today. I'm not doing that. But we think about it. ”
The Chute Boxe coach said he believes Tsarukyan is a tougher opponent than McGregor, but imagines a “dobronx” stopping him with both feet.
“Charles isn't fighting not to lose, he's fighting to win. There's a big difference,” Lima said. “We see great champions get there and start fighting not to lose. We see ugly fights where they fight for points and fight ugly fights. He goes in there just to get the submission. So, unfortunately, he exposes himself and gets knocked down.
“Our idea with Armand is to act as smartly as possible. Charles has a long reach, so we want to use that reach and his movement to aim for a knockout or submission at the right time. I don't want to go far. “How many rounds will it be?'' Armand's performance has decreased, so I'm researching it. We always study our opponents. …I watched a lot of Armand's fights. Very explosive, very strong and fast. He moves well and likes to send a jab to follow up with a hard right. Our idea is to knock him out with his legs and put him on the ground. I truly believe in Charles' knockout. But anything can happen. ”
Any potential matchup with McGregor later this year would take that opponent away from Michael Chandler. ultimate fighter 31 He was patiently waiting for McGregor's return opposite “The Notorious.”
But Lima believes changing plans makes the most sense for everyone involved except Chandler.
“It sucks, right? With all due respect to Chandler, I'm not going to take anything away from him, but what is his history in the UFC? How many fights has he had in the UFC?” Lima said. Ta. “Of course he's popular and has a name, and I agree with that, but…” [Justin] Gaethje, [Dustin] Poirier, Charles, Makhachev, they've all done better than Chandler in the UFC. Much more. So I don't know if this fight will sell or not.
“People forgot about Chandler because he kept waiting for McGregor. With all due respect, no one knows who he is. Armand is on a roll, so is Gaethje. Poirier had this fight too. Shit, look at Poirier's fight. Poirier had an unbelievable fight. I'm a fan of his. Chandler, poor guy, sit back and wait. He once fought. I have never won 3 games in a row [in the UFC], never came close — OK, he fought for it, but never won the belt. He is missing.
“Meanwhile, people are working. Gaethje is at war, Poirier is at war, Charles is at war, Armand is at war, Makhachev is at war. Sorry. However, this Chandler vs. McGregor fight is all about McGregor and nothing about Chandler, which makes this fight less and less of a sell. …Charles sells better than Chandler. If Charles fought McGregor now, damn it, in my opinion, it would stop the martial arts world. That would stop it.”
If the two former champions were to meet someday, Lima would allow his protégé to finish McGregor with punches, even though logic suggests using his jiu-jitsu would be the smarter strategy. see.
“Honestly, with all due respect to McGregor, who is a great fighter, I believe Charles will knock him out,” Lima said. “Everyone talks about how smart it is to take him to the ground. I agree with you, but the fight starts at the feet and Charles' hands are so heavy right now. Charles has great hands.”
