NEW YORK – Charles Oliveira requested for a cage-side seat for every time Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan throw down.
Promotion CEO Dana White obliged that request in brief order, impressed by the efficiency Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) put forth in his win over Michael Chandler on Saturday at UFC 309.
Oliveira has fought each Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) and Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) previously, however he does not care who walks away victorious. The one factor that issues to him is a championship belt.
“For positive. I need to be a champion,” Oliveira informed MMA Junkie and different reporters by means of a Portuguese-language interpreter at a post-fight information convention. “Everyone is aware of this. I am simply going to take a pair days off. For the reason that boss informed you guys he’ll come decide me up, I will be proper there. … I am not in search of any of them. I am in search of that belt. Whoever’s received that belt, that is who I would like.”
Oliveira has received two of his most up-to-date three. The defeat was a detailed break up determination loss to Tsarukyan in April. Hungry to as soon as once more declare the throne, Oliveira thinks he took one step nearer to that together with his win over Chandler, a victory he is very happy of within the quick aftermath.
“That is MMA,” Oliveira mentioned. “I feel all you need to do is win. It solely exhibits how a lot I developed and the way a lot I received higher. Previous Charles, or Charles from earlier than, would have tightened up a pair grips there and wasted power or would’ve exploded a bit bit to get out of sure positions. All I need to do was win.”
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Making Saturday’s win all of the extra unbelievable, Oliveira revealed his camp was bumpy. He suffered a knee harm that knocked him out of his preparation for a time frame, however he nonetheless carried out his mission ultimately.
“I did not need to speak about it earlier than, however sure I did have a knee harm,” Oliveira mentioned. “I spent loads of time really with out coaching. Issues had been powerful. I needed to thank initially my crew for not letting me again down, not letting me give up, not letting me cease and making this occur.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 309.
This text initially appeared on MMA Junkie: Charles Oliveira gunning for gold after UFC 309, whether or not Islam Makhachev or Arman Tsarukyan