Coach changes tune, claims Charles Oliveira now deserves title fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 289 win

Ahead of UFC 289, American Kickboxing Academy head coach, Javier Mendez had claimed that even with a victory – Charles Oliveira would likely not deserve a title rematch with his student, Islam Makhachev, however, the Brazilian has now been touted as next in line for a title fight according to Mendez.

Co-headlining UFC 289 over the course of the weekend, Charles Oliveira managed to return to the winner’s enclosure with a first round win over the surging, Beneil Dariush – finishing the Kings MMA staple with a barrage of opening frame ground strikes.

The victory propelled the Sao Paulo finisher back to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since October of last year, having previously dropped a second round arm-triangle submission loss to Makhachev at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, UAE in the pair’s vacant title showdown.

Immediately calling for a title fight rematch with Makhachev following his success against Dariush, Oliviera was issued a reminder of how their first matchup played out by the Russian – who claimed there was “levels to this game”.

Javier Mendez now claims Charles Oliveira deserves a title rematch with Islam Makhachev

And despite initially denying Oliveira should fight for gold with a win over Dariush, the above-mentioned, Mendez has since claimed Makhachev should fight the Brazilian later this year now in a certain tune change.

“I didn’t know who was gonna win [at UFC 289], but I was crossing my fingers it was gonna be Beneil (Dariush),” Javier Mendez told Submission Radio. “I for sure did not think Charles (Oliveira) was gonna be that impressive in victory. I didn’t think he was gonna be able to do it like he did. I thought a great performance was gonna put him in the talks, but I bypassed that. Maybe it’s because I wanted Beneil to win, I don’t know. But I should not have underestimated how great he is as a champion.”

“I feel that in my opinion, Charles has earned the right to be number one in line for it [title shot],” Mendez explained. “What the UFC feels is different, but from what I see, I don’t see how [Oliveira doesn’t get a title fight next]. Do I think he’s done enough? Yeah, I think he has.” 

Furthermore, UFC leader, Dana White also expressed his interest in booking a title rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira later this annum.