Charles Oliveira is looking to continue his historic UFC career at UFC 280.
Charles Oliveira comes to UFC 280 with a mission in mind. He is looking to reclaim the UFC Lightweight Championship he lost on the scale heading to UFC 274. To do so, he will have to get past an exceptionally tough opponent in Islam Makhachev. It’s the kind of test that if he passes with flying colors, this is another amazing tribute that has been the story of Oliveira’s professional birth over the past four years.
“I am here to make history again. I am here to make history again,” Oliveira said during the UFC 280 media day. “I am the best in this division and I have a problem with that division.”
Oliveira’s tenure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship was one of the difficulties. The same man who struggled to surpass individuals like Cobb Swanson, Paul Felder, and Donald Cerrone is now riding one of the most prolific winning streaks in UFC history. Since 2018, he’s won 11 straight fights and has done so in a highlight-reel fashion, stopping 10 of those opponents along the way. In the eyes of many, Oliveira’s race to the lightweight championship is the stuff of legends. He even hinted at going back to 145 to fight for Alexander Volkanovsky’s featherweight title.
“Everyone knows I’m the lightweight champ, there’s nothing to prove,” Oliveira said. “At the end of the night, raise your hand and end the night.”
Islam Makhachev stands in the way of Charles Oliveira regaining the title
Makhachev may not have taken the same path of top fighters as Oliveira to get to this shot, but that doesn’t mean he was any less dominant. Since his professional debut 12 years ago, Makhachev has suffered only one defeat. That came back at UFC 192 when Adriano Martins stopped him in under two minutes.
Since then, Makhachev has shut down one fighter after another. His 10-game winning streak includes wins over Nick Lintz, Davi Ramos, Drew Duber, Dan Hooker and most recently Bobby Green in February. With former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner as coach, many describe him as the next big deal and champion from that region of the world.
“I think Islam deserves all the respect in the world, but I think he should have fought someone in the top five like I did,” Oliveira said. “Don’t go by someone else’s name and cross the line like he did. This fight is only happening because of him [Nurmagomedov]. “
UFC 280: Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev takes place on Saturday, October 22, 2022, live from Al Ittihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Follow up with FanSided MMA for all the news and highlights.
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