The trainer of lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Javier Mendez, says Charles Oliveira should be the next to fight for the title.
Prior to UFC 289, American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez claimed that even if he beat Beneil Dariush, Charles Oliveira would not deserve the next title-shot. However, the champion’s coach seems to have changed his mind.
This weekend, during the co-main event of UFC 289, Charles Oliveira shocked the planet. Indeed, the Brazilian rolled over Dariush, winning by TKO in the 1st round. Thus, ‘do Bronx’ returned to success after a brutal loss to Islam Makhachev in October 2022.
“I didn’t know who was going to win, but I was crossing my fingers that it was Beneil Dariush,” Javier Mendez told ‘Submission Radio’. “I didn’t think Charles Oliveira was going to be so impressive in victory. I didn’t think he would be able to do it the way he did. (…) It may be because I wanted Beneil to win, I don’t know. I shouldn’t have underestimated how great he is as a champion. »
“In my opinion, Charles has earned the right to be number one for the title-shot,” Mendez explained. “How the UFC feels is different, but I don’t see how Oliveira won’t get a title fight next. Do I think he’s done enough? Yes, I think he did. »
UFC boss Dana White has admitted he would like to see a rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira. In addition, the two rivals have already started to send spades on social networks.
