Charles Oliveira has yet to defend his UFC title, but in a division as well-stacked as lightweight, it’s only a matter of time. Most men might pause for thought at the prospect of Islam Makhachev, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier lining up for a fight, but most men aren’t Charles Oliveira.
“Today I’m not worried about who said bad things about me, or who I’m gonna fight against. My main concern is be ready to face any challenger [the] UFC chooses, and that’s what I’m gonna be in December, against Poirier or any other.”
Oliveira Unfazed By Poirier, Gaethje: ” I’m not worried”
Oliveira will reportedly make his first title defense against Dustin Poirier in December, although he claims that no agreement has been made just yet. He admits that Poirier presents a challenge, but told Sherdog that he is confident in his own ability to seal the fight.
“Everybody is publishing that Poirier is going to fight with me,” Oliveira noted. “But until that moment, it’s still under negotiation, I didn’t sign any contract yet.
Poirier is one of the most dangerous guys of the lightweight division. Always walks forward, but I think I’m at a different level, both in striking and also in the ground. I would submit Poirier.”
Charles Oliveira may have displayed a level of striking hitherto unseen in his UFC career against Michael Chandler, but Dustin Poirier is one of the finest strikers to grace the sport in recent years.
As for another major contender, Justin Gaethje, who recently claimed that Oliveira’s title was illegitimate, “Do Bronx” was similarly Spartan in his reply.
“What I have to say to Gaethje is do your job, win your fights and get your opportunity, just like I did and make it happen.
I’m going to be here with my belt. When you get nine straight wins you may complain with Dana. Nine months ago, I was top seven, asking for an opportunity against a top-five contender. Ten days before UFC 256, Ferguson’s opponent got hurt and I was in shape ready to accept the UFC invitation.
After completely dominating Ferguson, I conquered my title shot. Charles Oliveira continued, detailing the long road he took to the UFC lightweight title.
“I did 28 fights in the UFC in the last 11 years, I was coming from eight consecutive wins, I have the bonus record of UFC, I beat the record of submissions of Royce Gracie and Demian Maia in the organization. If I didn’t have the right to fight for the belt, who should have?
If I’m the champion today, it is because I fought a lot for that.” Do you see Oliveira defeating Poirier or Gaethje? Will he string together a series of lightweight title defenses like Khabib before him? Let us know in the comments.
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