Former UFC lightweight champion Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira loves being the underdog heading into a fight. With Oliveira the leading candidate to challenge for Islam Makhachev’s UFC title, the Brazilian fighter recently appeared on the Trocação Franca podcast to solidify his intent to recapture the belt Makhachev took from him.
“There are levels, absolutely. We’ll see each other soon. Pretty soon. It’s all levels, right? Like he said. For sure, there are levels. We’ll see each other. It’s coming. Calm down. I’m in no hurry.
Charles Oliveira “Very Happy” To Be Underdog For Islam Makhachev UFC Rematch
I’m next in line, for sure. There’s nothing to be done or think, especially the way it was [against Dariush]. But over these past seven or eight years of my life I’ve learned that I only have to worry about one thing, and it’s not making money or booking fights, it’s just train, rest and make it happen.
[My managers Jorge Patino] ‘Macaco’ and Diego [Lima] already know what I want, they know I want the belt, so let them clash heads with the organization to see what the next step is. I just want to rest and then go back to training and be ready for my next opponent.
To me, I’m next, without a shadow of a doubt. Dana has made it clear, but we can’t be so sure.”Oliveira lost to Makhachev last time they met, effectively losing the UFC lightweight title.
Oliveira had relinquished the title ahead of his last defense against Justin Gaethje when he missed weight before the fight, and Makhachev submitted Oliveira early in their fight to secure the belt. Understandably, Oliveira will enter the Octagon as underdog for the fight, a position he loves to be in.
“I’m very happy when they say I’m the underdog. I’ll promise you this, next time I’ll send you all the screengrabs people send me of them making money with me.
And then I joke, ‘How much am I making on this?’ One makes $7,000, the other makes $15,000, the other makes $4,000, and the other makes $3,000. Those who believe in Charles Oliveira make money.
So I’m the underdog again, cool, perfect, let’s bet. Those who believe in me, let’s make money, let’s make it happen. I was the underdog in this fight so a lot of people made money. I made my money, I won my bonus, and those sitting and cheering on their couches made money, too.”
