Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira lost his title to Islam Makhachev last October. In the build-up to the fight, “Do Bronx” repeatedly dismissed his opponent, engaging in out-of-character trash talk, only to succumb to a brutal second-round submission. In a recent episode of the Trocação Franca podcast, Oliveira promised not to make the same mistake again.
“That’s the only fight I talked crap, the fight against Islam. I made a mistake. I won’t make that mistake again. We can only make mistakes once in life.
Charles Oliveira Promises To Dial Back Trash Talk For UFC 294 Rematch
When you make a mistake once, you can’t do it a second time, otherwise you’ll go down nonstop. I won’t do it again. If you look at all of my fights, you’ll see that night I didn’t fight 10 percent of what I can do. Not a hater, not an analyst that is constantly saying crap, but people that understand fighting.
If you watch everything I’ve said for all my fights, the only one where I’ve [gone outside my norm] a little bit and said some things, talked some crap, was the one against Islam, and I won’t make that mistake again.”
Oliveira pointed out that he respects his opponent, but believes wholeheartedly that he will reclaim the 155-pound throne.
“We want to make history. Islam is very tough, deserves all respect in the world, he’s evolving immensely, but I have a dream.
I want to become champion again. I want to continue making history, showing the kids from the favela that if you truly believe in something you can win in life. We’re here to break records.”
From the bottom of my heart, I just want to be happy. I just want to show up and fight, you know? To perform like I’ve always done in my fights. If I perform like I’ve always done, it’s definitely going to be a completely different fight, the result will not be the same.
‘Oh, are you thirsty? Are you hungry?’ Sure am, I’m ready for this. I was born ready, to make history, but what truly matters now is to be happy and focused. We got plenty of time for the fight and I just want to be close to the people that really cares about me, those that will push me to get there […]
I think God only gives you burdens as heavy as you can carry, and I’m sure God is taking me to Abu Dhabi because he has something different for me. The same month, the same date, once again spending my birthday there.
I’ll work harder than ever to make this happen. We’ll make history, I’ll become champion if Lord Jesus wants. And then, why not — we throw a big party on Nov. 4 in Brazil?”
