“It’s an underdog story,” Ex-UFC champion reveals why he is a fan of Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira

TJ Dillashaw praises Charles Oliveira's inspirational journey that saw him become a UFC icon for Brazilian fans.

“It’s an underdog story,” Ex-UFC champion reveals why he is a fan of Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira

Charles Oliveira (Image via: IMAGO)

UFC 300 was one of the best MMA fight cards in history. It is certainly the most stacked from top to bottom. After all, the first fight in the early prelims featured former champions Deiveson Figueiredo and Cody Garbrandt. However, in the main card of the PPV, the UFC had some of the biggest superstars in the sport, especially in Brazil – Alex Pereira and Charles Oliveira.

Pereira and Oliveira have a fan following in North America even though they don’t converse in English. Both fighters have an exciting fighting style, especially Oliveira. As such, he is one of the favorite fighters of even his colleagues. Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw is a big fan of the lightweight legend. Interestingly, it was not the exciting fight style that made Dillashaw a fan.

Just him [Charles Oliveira] living in the most ultimate underdog situation, like his poorest you can get. Like, really unfortunate, and making not only a life for him but for his whole family, you know what I mean? For him to be able to provide for his family and his parents now is just… it's awesome, man. You always root for that, like, I mean, it's an underdog story.
TJ Dillashaw via JAXXON podcast
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Dillashaw stated that Oliveira had all the opportunities to choose the wrong life but chose not to. Moreover, TJ credited BJJ for saving Oliveira’s life, as BJJ saved Oliviera in a big way. After all, he has the record for most finishes and most submissions in UFC history.

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Nonetheless, Charles Oliveira suffered a setback at UFC 300 against Arman Tsarukyan. In a closely contested fight, the Armenian fighter won via split decision, although many thought it should’ve been unanimous. Nevertheless, ‘Do Bronx’ had moments in the fight as he came close to submitting Tsarukyan with a guillotine choke in the first round.

TJ Dillashaw reveals how Arman Tsarukyan escaped Charles Oliveira’s guillotine choke at UFC 300

Arman Tsarukyan went into his fight against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 as the betting favorite. However, he had to earn his victory. Moreover, as he walked to the octagon, he had an altercation with a fan. Now, Tsarukyan has to give the fans tickets for UFC 303.

Arman Tsarukyan versus Charles Oliveira UFC 300
Arman Tsarukyan versus Charles Oliveira (Source: Instagram/ (@UFCNews) / X)

Tsarukyan did win the fight, but not without any obstacles. Oliveira caught Tsarukyan in a tight guillotine. According to Joe Rogan, any other fighter would’ve tapped out. Tsarukyan did not tap out and even escaped the chokehold. Former champion TJ Dillashaw recently explained how Tsarukyan escaped from the submission attempt.

If his [Tsarukyan] pants wouldn't have come off, he would have f**king got choked out...this [Oliveira's guillotine choke] is so fucking tight. I thought it was done, man. I thought it was done...But his [Tsarukyan's] shorts come down. His shorts, like, so he had his legs wrapped around his, right above his butt, where his hips are at, and with his shorts coming off, saved his fucking a**.
TJ Dillashaw via JAXXON podcast

With the victory over Oliveira, Tsarukyan has become the number one contender at lightweight. The UFC offered a title fight with Islam Makhachev at UFC 302. However, he refused as he wanted more time to prepare. After Tsarukyan’s rejection, the UFC made Dustin Poirier vs. Islam Makhachev official for UFC 302.

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