Charles Oliveira acknowledges that he would have loved to face Islam Makhachev again in another venue.
In the main event of UFC 294 on October 21 at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, former champion Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) will square off against lightweight champion Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC).
A little more than a year ago, Makhachev defeated Oliveira at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi by submitting him in the second round. Oliveira will now have to face Makhachev in Abu Dhabi one again.
Through an interpreter, Oliveira told My MMA News, “I don’t particularly believe it’s fair, but it’s the game. “The winner is over there. He makes the decisions. However, I’ll be returning to get my belt, wherever it may be.
After stopping Beneil Dariush’s eight-fight winning run with a first-round TKO at UFC 289 in June, Oliveira was given a second chance to face Makhachev. He was positioned as the title’s next contender, but it took him some time to agree to the rematch.
It turns out, though, that it was really a negotiating gimmick. On November 4, the UFC will return to Oliveira’s hometown of Sao Paulo, Brazil. “Do Bronx” was just hoping to compete there.
Oliveira claimed, “With 12 years in the game, I simply kind of understood how to play the game. “I was aware that Sao Paulo had a UFC. I just intended to attempt my shot to test its viability, but here we are.
