UFC sensation Charles Oliveira believes he will shock the world if he can defeat Islam Makhachev at UFC 280.
Next weekend in the main event of UFC 280, Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev will collide in one of the most highly anticipated championship fights in years.
Oliveira, technically speaking, does not hold the gold – but he certainly holds the position of king in the wake of his tremendous 11-fight win streak that he’s been on.
Read more: UFC 280: Khabib Nurmagomedov gives prediction for Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev
These two great 155-pounders aren’t exactly bitter rivals but in the last couple of weeks, they certainly haven’t held back when it comes to throwing trash talk at one another.
That’s particularly true for Makhachev who, if you believe what he says, fully believes he’s going to walk through the Brazilian.
The same can be said for his close friend Khabib Nurmagomedov who has also been very vocal about this match-up and what he believes will happen.
During a recent interview with ESPN, ‘Do Bronx’ got his chance to provide a rebuttal.
Video: Charles Oliveira is ready for UFC 280
“I’m gonna shock the world yet again.”
“I’m gonna do that in the first round. Opinions are subjective, and some people believe that I would be a potential winner, he would be a potential winner. But I’m gonna show that my historic, my background, the number of fights I’ve had, my contenders, this will come to show on that very night. In this sense, I will shock the world, because people will change their opinion about this.”
Oliveira was then asked whether or not Khabib’s presence is looming over this title fight.
“Well, my fight is against Islam. Whenever he’s willing to get back and get on with it, I’ll be always ready.”
The run of a lifetime
The stretch leading up to Charles Oliveira becoming UFC lightweight champion was fairly remarkable, but the real ‘statement pieces’ of his streak have taken place in his last three outings.
Read more: UFC 280: Date, Fight Card, Location, Tickets and more
In those meetings, he was able to see off the challenge of Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.
Gaethje fell in round one, Chandler in round two and Poirier in round three, with none of them being able to withstand the new and improved Charles.
Can Islam break the status quo? We’ll have to wait and see.
