Charles Oliveira wants ‘whoever’s got belt’ between Islam Makhachev or Arman Tsarukyan after UFC 309
Charles Oliveira gunning for gold after UFC 309 PPV win; will face either Islam Makhachev or top contender Arman Tsarukyan.
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Charles Oliveira will wait for Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan (Source: IMAGO/X)
Charles Oliveira has asked for a seat next to the cage for when Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan go toe-to-toe. Consequently, after UFC 309 PPV, the former champion cemented his status as the next top contender. ‘Do Bronx’ is gunning for gold, something he lost in 2022 for a bizarre weight miss. To that end he’ll be ready for both.
Charles Oliveira bagged a unanimous decision victory with Michael Chandler, after a late round scare at UFC 309. Promotion CEO Dana White quickly granted the request, impressed with Oliveira’s (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) performance. Now, he is eagle-eyed to get back to what was his. It doesn’t matter who he fights or who fights before him for it.
For sure. I want to be a champion, …Everybody knows this. I’m just going to take a couple days off. Since the boss told you guys he’ll come pick me up, I’ll be right there. … I’m not looking for any of them. I’m looking for that belt. Whoever’s got that belt, that’s who I want.
Charles Oliveira through a Portuguese-language interpreter at the UFC 309 post-fight press conference
Oliveira has previously fought both Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. Oliveira has won two of his last three fights. The loss was a close split decision against Tsarukyan for the No. 1 seed at UFC 300. Hungry to reclaim the throne, Oliveira believes he moved one step closer with his win over Chandler.
To make Saturday’s victory all the more incredible, Oliveira revealed that his camp had been bumpy. He suffered a knee injury that benched him for a period of time. But in the end, he carried out his mission. Still, with how MMA scoring goes and is ever-evolving, there were some deterrents to his success.
Charles Oliveira lashes out at referee over Michael Chandler’s many fouls
Charles Oliveira remains one of the best lightweights in the world in light of his UFC 309 victory. Nothing was on stone, but it was all but sure that either he or Michael Chandler could get a title shot with a win. Now, he has a clear opportunity to face either Islam Makhachev or Arman Tsarukyan.
However, him waiting for an Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan booking would have turned very moot this Saturday night, if not for his own efforts. The only round Chandler won was the fifth. He caught Oliveira with a big right, followed by an eye-poke that left Do Bronx’s face vulnerable.
When the Brazilian shot for a leg to try and slow down the ensuing onslaught, Chandler hit him with a series of hammer punches to the side of the head. Many of which were extremely questionable in their standards and legality.
I’m not here to criticize, …But I wanna tell you something: there were a lot of blows to the back of the head, a lot of fence grabbing. There was also some eye pokes. And I was telling the ref what was going on, I was calling for his attention and nothing would happen. I hoped that he would intervene, but nothing happened.
Charles Oliveira further said
Charles Oliveira reacts to the illegal blows to the back of the head during Round 5 against Michael Chandler at #UFC309:
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) November 17, 2024
"There were a lot of blows to the back of the head, a lot of fence grabbing, and also eye pokes." pic.twitter.com/oTmBcNdXhy
The back of the head rule goes in such a way that, as long as the fist grazes the opponent’s ear, the referees usually won’t stop. In Chandler’s case, his glove did touch the ear of Oliveira. But his entire forearm went straight into the back of Oliveira’s head.
None of those troubled Charles Oliviera who gave Michael Chandler his props after an electric last round. Plus, it’s like Tito Ortiz famously said “If you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying.” So, it’s not Chandler he blames; it’s referee Keith Peterson.
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