The UFC, the largest world martial arts organization (MMA), managed to consolidate as one of the largest sports planet company thanks to the construction of stars. One of them, without a doubt, is Charles Oliveira (Brazil, 1989), a forged athlete thanks to its spectacular fighting, arriving from very down to become one of the most important fighters of the US company. He became an UFC lightweight champion in 2021, but then Makhachev arrived and ended with his reign. Now, after beating Michael Chandler, Do Bronx, as the Brazilian nicknames, wants to fight again for the UFC title that the Russian holds, although Ilyia Topuria has risen to this division to obtain precisely that opportunity. Charles Oliveira speaks exclusively with ABC MMA to analyze the future of the category that many consider the most prestigious and complicated in the world.
-How are you, Charles? You were a few days on vacation for New York, right?
-It was very good to be with my family, to be able to travel, know a little Disney, and New York.
-You are a worldwide star of mixed martial arts. Did they stop you a lot on the street?
-Yes, there is no way to avoid it (laughs). To any place that arrives, all people want to take pictures, but no problem. I am used to it, I take it normally, so I am very grateful.
-We go with the sports matter. UFC fans are very interested in knowing about your future. Who do you think will be your next opponent?
-I’m looking for a title, so I am training with dedication, focused to win. I think that [Islam] Makhachev wants to fight at the International Fight Week, and I’m here, we’re going to make it come true.
-It has a possibility that Makhachev, the champion of the division, would not want to fight at the International Fight Week and had to face Ilia Topuria. Is it a real option for you?
-I think there are many people talking many things, but I am looking for a title and the champion today is Makhachev. Topuria is a very hard guy, he deserves all the respect of the world, but at this time I don’t see that fight as a great fight. As I am looking for the title, I have to fight Makhachev to overcome him and be champion again.
-What clear is that the International Fight Week is the date you want to fight again, right?
-Yes, it would be very good, it is a very good date for me, I will surely be very well prepared to fight at the International Figh Week.
-In the case that the UFC does not have in its plans that you fight immediately through the belt, if they offer you a contender fight, would you accept or wait for your titular opportunity?
-How I said before, I’m looking for a title. That’s why I insist on talking about Makhachev’s fight, I think I deserve that fight, I am the next one in the row, I don’t see another option. But it depends on the UFC, I am pressing to make that fight. Makhachev said he also wanted to fight at the International Fight Week, I also want, why not? Let’s do it.
-You had a fight for the title against Makhachev and ended up submitting you. How did you live that lawsuit?
-Yes, but it wasn’t a fight in which I felt good. If you see all my fights, I always advance, I look for the victory, I look for the knockout or the completion, but in this fight it was not right, I did not fight as I should. I think I deserve another opportunity to fight and be able to make a great fight. He is a great champion, he has evolved a lot, but I know I can overcome him.
-Iland Topuria left its vacant featherweight title to look for the opportunity for the light weight belt. Do you think he deserves it?
-I think Ilyia is a very hard guy, she deserves all the respect of the world. I met him recently in an event and is a person with a huge heart. But I don’t think that when someone changes category, deserves to fight directly for the title of the other. There are many fighters who are struggling for that title, so someone arrives and save the line is very complicated. However, I think that if he makes a great fight in a category as difficult as light weight, he certainly deserves a chance.
-Insist in which the fight against Topuria could come to be given. In case you face, what will be your prediction for that fight?
-If that fight happened, I would go forward as I have always done with everyone, knowing that it is a very hard guy. However, the lightweight category is very complicated, there are fighters as very hard blows and with a very good Jiujitsu, but I would continue to advance in search of the knockout to be able to demonstrate that my category is very difficult. But, as I said, he has all the respect of the world for the person who is and for the great champion he is.
-If finally that Topuria vs Makhachev fight is given. Who would win that fight?
-I think it would be a great fight, because Makhachev has been evolving very well in the feet, and has a very solid jiujitsu. But Ilyia Topuria has been talking that she has all the weapons to overcome him, so, without a doubt, it would be a very hard fight. But the lightweight category is very complicated, you have fighters who have very powerful blows, a very good jiujitsu, so it would be a great fight.
-I had an encounter between Topuria and you at an UFC event and you took a photo. How was that encounter?
-We had the opportunity to coincide in an event in Australia, where his brother fought. It is a sensational guy, a guy who respects everyone and always greets with education, we take photos. He is a great guy, both as a fighter and person. So that’s why I respect him more. I already admired him for what he had done in sport, but knowing him personally made me admire him more.
-Other belt that interests you, although it is symbolic, is the BMF. Would you be interested in fighting him?
-It would be something magical, I have defeated big names, I am the biggest ending in the history of the UFC, I have many submissions, many bonds, so I would deserve to dispute that belt. But I think that fight between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier will happen first. So I am not very focused on that, but on the title of Makhachev.
-Now you are not with a fight scheduled yet. How are your training?
-They are calmer. We are athletes, we are human beings we cannot always be to the fullest or we get injured. I am calmer, closer to my family, I try to relax as much as possible, but always training, more technical, calmer … but when the UFC calls me, I am ready, always motivated, I just need to accelerate the machine a little to be prepared.
-Other fighter who has gained a lot of prominence after his last victory in the division is Justin Gaethje. Is it a fight you would like to do?
-Yes, Justin Gaethje is a very hard guy, he deserves all the respect of the world. He made a great fight in front of a rival who entered the last minute, which changes the entire game plan. But now it’s not the time, I’m looking for the title. In the future, why not? It would be a great fight against a very hard guy, as it is also me. But now I am looking forward, not backwards. So he has my respect, but I don’t think it’s the time.
-Other name that Copa today and is up in the light weight ranking is Arman Tsarukyan, who beat you in the past. Would you like to make a rematch?
-Yes, Arman Tsarukyan is a very hard guy, I saw that very even fight, I think I won the first and third round, but the judges gave him the victory. It has already happened. Now I am focused on the title I do not think of a rematch today, at this time, I deserve that opportunity for the title, as he had it, although unhappy he had to go out for a combat injury, so I think that now I am the next one to dispute it.
-At certain, Charles, have you ever been in Spain?
-No, no … I really want to go. From what I see in photos and videos it is very beautiful. Diego Lima (his coach and manager) will be there because Gabriel is going to fight. I wanted to go, but I don’t have the opportunity, but next time I will be there.
-He has also been talking about UFC Spain, but it seems that until next year it will not be possible. Would you like to be on that billboard with a great fight?
-Well, it would be very, very magical. The first UFC in Spain and how I like to make history, why not? I would be fighting there. It would be very important and, when you are fighting there, I hope the fans are from my favor (laughs).
-The truth is that your style is very attractive. It is crazy the record of submissions that you have within the UFC with 16 victories by this method. Do you think someone can overcome it?
-All can pass. We are talking about the UFC, but I still have many things to do. I will continue training, fighting, trying to break records and continue increasing mine, so that I can become the greatest of all time.
-All to the short term future, do you consider getting into the wélter weight?
-In this moment, I simply want to be champion of the lightweight category. And later gain weight, but not now. I feel very good in this category.
-We now speak from a more personal plane. How is the day to day of a UFC superstar like you?
-I want to be simply an common person, like everyone else. I know about my story, I know that many people are inspired by me and want to approach, but I simply want to be a normal person. Being calm, being close to my family and children. I don’t want to be a star. I know who I am, but I want to do quiet things like riding a horse, fishing, being calm.
-Vendo of a very humble life, how is mentioned mentally to become a superstar so that the situation does not exceed you?
-I always ask God to show me the way. I always ask my family: I’m changing? I am always the same boy. Thank God I have a very good life, but I always keep my feet on the floor, being a humble, respectful person, I do not let anything climb to my head. I believe in God, I have my faith, so I do not let anything rise to my head. I know who I am, where I am where I want to get there.
-You speak of God. How important is it for your life?
-We would be important in everyone’s life. Without God we are nothing, I think that since God is born, he draws our stories. All I have today is because he gave me the opportunity to be who I am.
-What was the most complicated situation that you had to live in your professional career?
-I think when I lost my UFC champion belt. When I had the opportunity to fight for the title, I had already been champion, but when the vacancy was, I didn’t fight, I didn’t find myself.
-You are 35 years old but you are in a state incredible. Have you thought about what age would you like to retire from the competition?
-No. I tell my coach a lot and all my friends, while feeling pleasure in training and fighting, I will continue to do so. I have many things to do. I will be champion again, I will continue to break records, making history and being recognized. I have a lot to do.
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