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Hangs tough in tight defeat
Oliveira lost to Arman Tsarukyan via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC 300 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a classic Oliveira performance in the sense that there was some bad and plenty of good. Unlike most efforts from Charles in recent memory, he came up short. Oliveira was responsible for the two biggest offensive moments of the entire fight. He nearly choked Tsarukyan out with a guillotine choke early on and nearly finished him again in the closing seconds, only to run out of time. In between, Charles struggled so much with the grappling game of Arman that it ended up costing him the fight. Oliveira is now 34 years of age. He's not quite as sharp as he once was, but he's still going toe-to-toe with the best the division has to offer and showing well in the process. The Brazilian is 12-2 in his past 14 fights and has been fighting the best in the world for that entire stretch. Oliveira's future is in the UFC Hall of Fame, but he's clearly not done yet.
It was a classic Oliveira performance in the sense that there was some bad and plenty of good. Unlike most efforts from Charles in recent memory, he came up short. Oliveira was responsible for the two biggest offensive moments of the entire fight. He nearly choked Tsarukyan out with a guillotine choke early on and nearly finished him again in the closing seconds, only to run out of time. In between, Charles struggled so much with the grappling game of Arman that it ended up costing him the fight. Oliveira is now 34 years of age. He's not quite as sharp as he once was, but he's still going toe-to-toe with the best the division has to offer and showing well in the process. The Brazilian is 12-2 in his past 14 fights and has been fighting the best in the world for that entire stretch. Oliveira's future is in the UFC Hall of Fame, but he's clearly not done yet.
Latest addition to UFC 300
Oliveira will take on Arman Tsarukyan for the spot of No. 1 lightweight contender at UFC 300 on April 13 in Las Vegas, UFC President Dana White announced Sunday night.
ANALYSIS
The UFC originally wanted Oliveira to square off in a rematch with champion Islam Makhachev, but the latter is apparently still recovering from an injury, and Oliveira wanted to stay active. He'll now get a tough test against a surging Tsarukyan, a far younger fighter who has won eight of his last nine fights, most recently dismantling Beneil Dariush in the first round in December. Oliveira will bring height and reach advantages to the cage, and will be a far greater submission threat. That may make Tsarukyan hesitant to use his wrestling, which is arguably his biggest strength.
The UFC originally wanted Oliveira to square off in a rematch with champion Islam Makhachev, but the latter is apparently still recovering from an injury, and Oliveira wanted to stay active. He'll now get a tough test against a surging Tsarukyan, a far younger fighter who has won eight of his last nine fights, most recently dismantling Beneil Dariush in the first round in December. Oliveira will bring height and reach advantages to the cage, and will be a far greater submission threat. That may make Tsarukyan hesitant to use his wrestling, which is arguably his biggest strength.
Lays out future plans
Oliveira intends to be medically cleared in 10-15 days, after which he hopes to either fight for a title or schedule a matchup against Conor McGregor, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Oliveira was forced out of his UFC 294 title shot against Islam Makhachev less than two weeks before the scheduled matchup, as an accidental clash of heads during sparring left him with a deep gash on his forehead that would prevent him from being medically cleared. After the proposed timetable elapses, Oliveira will then get an MRI to make sure no blood clots formed in his head, and should the results be favorable, his management team is ready to negotiate the next steps. Facing the winner of Saturday's matchup between Makhachev and Volkanovski would be the most logical plan, though no fighter is in a position to turn down a potentially-lucrative matchup against the fan-favorite McGregor.
Oliveira was forced out of his UFC 294 title shot against Islam Makhachev less than two weeks before the scheduled matchup, as an accidental clash of heads during sparring left him with a deep gash on his forehead that would prevent him from being medically cleared. After the proposed timetable elapses, Oliveira will then get an MRI to make sure no blood clots formed in his head, and should the results be favorable, his management team is ready to negotiate the next steps. Facing the winner of Saturday's matchup between Makhachev and Volkanovski would be the most logical plan, though no fighter is in a position to turn down a potentially-lucrative matchup against the fan-favorite McGregor.
Pulls out of title fight
Oliveira has withdrawn from his scheduled fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Oliveira's eyebrow was badly split open while sparring, so he will be forced to sit out the title fight. Alexander Volkanovski will replace Oliveira to fight Makhachev on Oct. 21.
Oliveira's eyebrow was badly split open while sparring, so he will be forced to sit out the title fight. Alexander Volkanovski will replace Oliveira to fight Makhachev on Oct. 21.
Title fight booked
Oliveira is set to face Islam Makhachev in a lightweight title fight Oct. 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi,, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Oliveira, who previously lost to Makhachev at UFC 280 last October, will look to exact revenge in Abu Dhabi. The 33-year-old Brazilian fighter has a UFC record of 22-9-1, including 12 wins in his last 13 bouts.
Oliveira, who previously lost to Makhachev at UFC 280 last October, will look to exact revenge in Abu Dhabi. The 33-year-old Brazilian fighter has a UFC record of 22-9-1, including 12 wins in his last 13 bouts.