Charles Oliveira confirms plan for UFC return in January, title fight with Islam Makhachev: ‘I’m next in line’
According to former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira, he could be in line for a return to the Octagon as soon as January next, as he also reveals plans are firmly in motion for him to rebook a championship rematch with Islam Makahchev, just days removed from their failed pairing at UFC 294.
Oliveira, the current number one ranked lightweight contender, was scheduled to headline UFC 294 over the course of last weekend in Abu Dhabi, UAE, until a nasty laceration suffered just 10 days’ out from the bout, forced his ultimate withdrawal from a title rematch with Makhachev.
In the Brazilian’s place stepped in undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, who himself rematched Makhachev following a February clash, dropping a thunderous first round high-kick KO loss to the Russian at the Etihad Arena, however.
And despite his withdrawal from a championship rematch on short-notice, Oliveira has already been pegged by UFC CEO, Dana White to fight for gold in his return to active competition, in the form of a rematch with Makhachev.
Charles Oliveira immediate rebooking with Islam Makhachev
Sharing his thoughts on his immediate fighting future, Oliveira, who most recently turned in a blistering first round TKO win over the surging, Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 back in June in a maidan career win in Canada, confirmed plans for him and Makhachev to fight again next.
“Whoever the UFC says he’s (Islam Makhachev) going to fight, they’re going to fight,” Charles Oliveira said through a translator during an interview with MMA Fighting. “Everybody knows I’m next. First in the rankings, coming off of a great win, and ready to fight like I was before. I was ready for that fight [at UFC 294] until [the injury] happened, and I’m next in line.”
“… I’m training and I’m getting ready for it,” Charles Oliveira explained. “They know what I’m all about. I don’t fight for money. I fight to make history and I fight for my legacy. So, I’m going to to continue to train, continue to get prepared and try to get up to 100 percent just like I was right before this fight. When I’m 100 percent, that’s when I’ll be ready to fight.”
Who wins in a title rematch: Islam Makhachev or Charles Oliveira?
