Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC 269 live on
your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the
ESPN app. When it comes to his upcoming unconfirmed title fight,
Charles
Oliveira would like to say, “not so fast, my friend.” Earlier this week, outlets like
MMA Fighting reported the news that Oliveira (31-8, 1 NC) would
be taking on Dustin
Poirier (28-6, 1 NC) for the lightweight throne at UFC
269. The reports stated that the two had not yet signed the
contracts yet, but verbal agreements are in place. Oliveira spoke
to Sherdog on Thursday about this situation, clarifying that this
first title defense is still under negotiation.
“Everybody is publishing that Poirier is going to fight with me,”
Oliveira noted. “But until that moment, it’s still under
negotiation, I didn’t sign any contract yet.”
Concerning the possible challenge with Poirier, the
Chute Boxe representative believes he has weapons to beat the
American Top Team standout anywhere the fight goes.
“Poirier is one of the most dangerous guys of the lightweight
division,” Oliveira admitted. “[He] always walks forward, but I
think I’m at a different level, both in striking and also in the
ground.”
When asked to point out how the fight would go, the Brazilian gave
a short but direct answer.
“I would submit Poirier,” the champ said, brimming with
confidence.
“Do Bronx” was among those on Wednesday that heard former title
challenger Justin
Gaethje
call his title reign the “laughing stock” of the organization,
and he was none too pleased with that statement. Oliveira had an
answer for “The Highlight.”
“What I have to say to Gaethje is do your job, win your fights and
get your opportunity, just like I did and make it happen,” Oliveira
responded. “I’m going to be here with my belt. When you get nine
straight wins you may complain with Dana. Nine months ago, I was
top seven, asking for an opportunity against a top-five contender.
Ten days before UFC 256, Ferguson’s opponent got hurt and I was in
shape ready to accept the UFC invitation.
“After completely dominating Ferguson, I conquered my title shot,”
Oliveira continued. “I did 28 fights in the UFC in the last 11
years, I was coming from eight consecutive wins, I have the bonus
record of UFC, I beat the record of submissions of Royce Gracie
and Demian Maia
in the organization. If I didn’t have the right to fight for the
belt, who should have? If I’m the champion today, it is because I
fought a lot for that.”
After getting that off his chest, Oliveira was ready to move
forward and prepare for all possible challengers – in the
lightweight division, there are many foes he has not faced, and he
looks forward to meeting each and every one of them in the
future.
“Today I’m not worried about who said bad things about me, or who
I’m gonna fight against,” the champ explained. “My main concern is
be ready to face any challenger [the] UFC chooses, and that’s what
I’m gonna be in December, against Poirier or any other.”
Even when going through his wild schedule since earning UFC gold by
defeating Michael
Chandler in May, Oliveira always found time to keep
training.
“I never gave so many interviews in my life,” the Brazilian
expressed. “But no matter where I went, I always found an academy
to train; now that UFC decided the date, media time is over and
I’ll be 100% focused in the camp.”
The champion turned his sights from his next matchup to those that
may present themselves to him in the future. Both Rafael dos
Anjos vs. Islam
Makhachev and Chandler vs. Gaethje present opportunities for
the victor, where one could be facing Oliveira with an impressive
victory. When it came to the latter, Oliveira couldn’t point a
favorite between Gaethje and Chandler.
“Both are brawlers with knockout power,” Oliveira stated. “Probably
Gaethje has better combinations, but Chandler is also very
dangerous, it’s pretty much 50-50.”
When it came to the dos Anjos-Makhachev battle, “Do Bronx” sees the
former champion and fellow countryman as a slight favorite.
“Makhachev deserves all respect, but he just faced fighters who
respected him, always walking backwards and allowing him to impose
his game. Dos Anjos has strong hands and a very high level of
jiu-jitsu. He will bring different challenges to Makhachev. It’s
gonna be a war, but I see RDA winning,” Oliveira concluded.
