Coach: Dustin Poirier Is ‘Very Afraid’ Of Charles Oliveira’s Grappling Ahead Of UFC 269
Reigning UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira makes his first attempted defense of his crown this weekend at UFC 269 against former interim championship holder, Dustin Poirier. And according to the Brazilian’s head coach, Diego Lima, challenger, Poirier is hugely fearful of the grappling prowess possessed by his student.
Sao Paulo submission specialist, Charles Oliveira makes his second Octagon walk of this year, attempting to successfully defend his lightweight crown and lodge his tenth consecutive victory as part of a stunning winning spree.
The 32-year-old Brazilian headlined UFC 262 back in May at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas — rallying from a late first round knockdown against Michael Chandler to finish the Missouri native with early second round strikes of his own.
The victory came as Oliveira’s staggering thirty-first professionally, as he managed to also secure his ninth career knockout win.
However, for his recent developments under Chute Boxe leader Lima, particularly in his Muay Thai striking, Oliveira is best known for his deadly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu base.
A third degree black belt, Oliveira snatched the record for most submission victories in the history of the UFC back in his native Brasilia, Brazil back in March of last year — submitting now promotional alum, Kevin Lee with a taut third round guillotine.
Diego Lima claims Dustin Poirier is fearful of Charles Oliveira’s grappling ability
According to Lima, American Top Team mainstay, Poirier is hugely concerned about the ground game possessed by Oliveira, and admitted he would be wise to stay standing with the Brazilian.
“We have someone who’s very afraid of Charles’ (Oliveira) ground (game),” Lima told MMA Fighting reporter, Guilherme Cruz on Trocacao Franca. “In my opinion, (Dustin) Poirier doesn’t really want to take this fight to the ground. People that watch Charles’ (Oliveira) fights and Poirier’s fights will say, ‘F*ck, Poirier better keep this fight on the feet.“
However, whilst many believe Dustin Poirier’s perceived best chances of dethroning Charles Oliveira comes in a striking exchange, Lima explained how he has dreamt scenarios in which Oliveira emerges victoriously via knockout and submission stoppages regardless.
“(Oliveira) is so ready on the feet and on the ground that I’ve dreamed of both (finishes),” Lima explained. “I’ve dreamed of him landing a hard one and Poirier getting soft and going down and Charles Oliveira finishing the job with some ground-and-pound until the referee pushed him away; I’ve also dreamed of Charles adjusting a tight position and Poirier getting purple, red, yellow, and then tapping. Honestly, I’ve dreamed of both things because I know Charles has what it takes to do both things. That’s the reality. One thing is for sure, this fight won’t go to the judges.“
Whilst Charles Oliveira enters off the back of a championship coronation earlier this year, opponent, Poirier also enjoyed a memorable 2020 — twice defeating former two-weight gold holder, Conor McGregor in a rematch and subsequent July rubber match.
