Charles Oliveira isn’t too worked up about UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev angling for Dustin Poirier.
Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) meets Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 on April 13, in what was declared a No. 1 contender bout. On the same night, Justin Gaethje defends his BMF title against Max Holloway.
But with Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) eyeing a June return, he fears that those competing at UFC 300 might not be able to turn around so quickly. That’s why he turned his attention to Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC), who knocked out Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299 earlier this month.
“I don’t even think about that, to be honest,” Oliveira told MMA Mania through an interpreter. “This is information that comes from the internet, and people talk a lot on the internet. I’m not worried about that. I know that I’m the next in line. So, that’s it.”
After finishing Beneil Dariush last June, Oliveira was scheduled to rematch Makhachev this past October at UFC 294 but was forced out due to a cut. However, instead of a rebooked fight with Makhachev, Oliveira was matched up with Tsarukyan.
So why did Oliveira accept to fight Tsarukyan? The former champion said he wasn’t about to sit on the sidelines until Makhachev was done with Ramadan.
“If I was supposed to wait for the title, I would fight only at the end of the year, and I don’t like to wait too much to fight,” Oliveira said. “I would be waiting for one year almost. So, that’s why I accepted this challenge.”
Tsarukyan called Oliveira “nothing special” outside of grappling, but “Do Bronx” scoffed at his claims.
“For sure, he needs to be a confident guy,” Oliveira said. “He needs to be focused. He deserves all the respect in the world, but I’m not worried about what he’s thinking. I’m just focused on what I’m going to do inside the cage.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.
