Charles Oliveira is getting ready to face what many people believe could be the toughest test of his current 11-fight winning streak to date when he goes up against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 on October 22nd, but ‘Do Bronx’ is confident that he’ll not only win, but do so before the opening round is over.
“He’ll try to take me down not through my legs, but through my hips,” Oliveira told Ag.Fight. “He’ll try to take me down and nullify my legs. He won’t come dying to submit me, but rather to wear me out. But man, like I said, I’m not worried about what Makhachev can bring. I’m worried about what Charles can take there. You can be sure it won’t go past the first round.”
“So the team is setting up my strategy, I’ll be moving forward all the time as I said. I have firepower in my hands. If you look at my latest opponents, that’s what they’re talking about. The firepower in my hands. And my jiu-jitsu you know very well.”
Meanwhile, Oliveira also appears to still be on the hunt for a blockbuster fight with Conor McGregor when he returns to action next year, and believes that a win over Makhachev will strengthen his chances of getting it.
“I like the narrative.’It would be perfect,” Oliveira told ESPN of a potential fight with McGregor. “We’ve been asking for this fight in Brazil so hopefully, it works out.
“I really do [think it will happen next year]. That’s the sole reason why I accepted this fight [with Makhachev].
“I know the more victories, the better the chances so this is a step towards that fight. I’d like to leave the Octagon already knowing who I’d be fighting next.
“I’d advise [McGregor] to take very good care of what words he uses [in Brazil], especially when referring to me.”
