ABU DHABI – Charles Oliveira might be down, but not out.
The former UFC lightweight champion is determined to get the belt back after his Saturday loss. Oliveira (33-9 MMA, 21-9 UFC) was submitted by Islam Makhachev in his attempt to reclaim the UFC lightweight title at UFC 280.
“No one is ever going to hit me as hard as life has hit me,” Oliveira told reporters at the UFC 280 post-fight press conference. “I fell down, and I’m going to get up and I’m going to get this belt back.”
To the surprise of many, Oliveira, who holds the record for most submissions in UFC history, was submitted with an arm-triangle choke in the second round of the main event.
Oliveira refused to make excuses and gave full credit to Makhachev and his title-winning performance.
“We’re fighters. That’s bound to happen,” Oliveira said. “Today, Islam Makhachev was better than I was. There’s days that you’re going to be better than other people. There’s days that they’re going to be better than you. There’s not much to do. We’re going to meet again.”
As far as what’s next, UFC president Dana White said Makhachev likely will defend his new title against featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski in a champion vs. champion fight in 2023. He ruled out a potential rematch for Oliveira as Makhachev’s first defense.
The Brazilian is unsure of what his next step will be, but for now the plan is to regroup with his team.
“You never know what exactly the promotion is going to choose,” Oliveira said. “They change minds all the time, so who am I to say something?
“The truth is that Charles Oliveira is still the No. 1 contender in the division. So what we’re going to do is go back home, see my family, talk to my managers, assess the matters, butt heads a little bit with the UFC. I’ve always done everything the UFC has asked of me. I’ve always fought in other people’s homes. So we’re just going to wait a little bit. (There’s) not much for me to choose. We’re going to be home and negotiate it from there.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 280.
