Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo was, for the better part of a decade, one of the biggest MMA stars in Brazil. Now, the lightweight-champ-in-all-but-name Charles Oliveira is carrying that torch, and Aldo believes Oliveira will recapture UFC gold this weekend at UFC 280. Aldo detailed what he sees as Oliveira’s path to victory in a recent episode of Trocação Franca.
“It’s a complicated fight for him. Charles has great jiu-jitsu, but I’ve never seen anyone grapple with Makhachev and have the advantage. Even Khabib [Nurmagomedov], they have slick jiu-jitsu, a very efficient ground game.
Aldo Details Oliveira’s Path to UFC 280 Victory
On the ground, with all due respect, I think Makhachev will have the advantage. But I think Charles wins knocking him out on the feet.”
Charles Oliveira is the UFC’s most potent finisher, holding the record for most finishes and most submissions. He clearly plans on extending that record with a victory over Islam Makhachev this weekend.
Aldo also had a pick for Brazil’s next major MMA star. “There’s a guy people don’t talk too much yet but I believe will be champion, and that’s ‘Malhadinho.’
I see myself a lot in him for the fact he wants to fight all the time, in different weight classes, with the dream of becoming champion and getting to the top quickly. This guy has huge potential to be fighting there [at the top] and becoming a star in Brazil soon. It doesn’t matter when, he knocks [somebody] out and asks for another one right away. You don’t see people talking about him that much, but I think he’ll go far.”
Aldo also sang the praises of Alex Pereira, the middleweight kickboxer coming to take Israel Adesanya’s belt. “The little experience he has, I think he can become a star, too.
I respect Adesanya, a great champion who is improving and getting smarter every time he enters the octagon, but I’m picking ‘Poatan.’ He already beat him in kickboxing – but, to me, it means nothing. They will meet in a new world now, very more versatile, where Adesanya has a bit more experience, but I’m picking ‘Poatan.’”
Jose Aldo recently retired from MMA after decades as one of the top fighters in the world. His final bout was a decision loss at bantamweight to Merab Dvalishvili.
Is Jose Aldo’s prediction about the new guard of Brazilian fighters right? Will Charles Oliveira knock out Islam Makhachev? Let us know in the comments.
