Charles Oliveira uncertainties Khabib Nurmagomedov returns, calls for McGregor vs. Poirier winner for vacant title

With 8 wins in a row together with a dominant performance more than Tony Ferguson at UFC 256, Charles Oliveira is completely ready for his title shot.

The Brazilian was masterful in the co-main celebration as he set Ferguson on the ground repeatedly and nearly snapped his arm with a submission in the opening round. Oliviera was amazed with Ferguson’s will to survive but there was no doubt about the winner just after the ultimate horn sounded.

“He’s a truly tricky dude,” Oliviera mentioned about Ferguson at the UFC 256 put up-fight press conference. “I even informed [my coach Jorge Patino] just after that 1st round that I believed I had damaged his arm.

“But I preferred to get. We had a sport prepare set and I wished to go in there and acquire at any cost.”

Now that he’s secured the most significant victory of his occupation, Oliviera is staring at a top-five rating in the light-weight division with a title shot ultimately in striking length.

Whilst a showdown towards reigning winner Khabib Nurmagomedov would just about unquestionably be on his would like list, Oliveira does not believe that the undefeated Russian will return to action right after announcing his retirement earlier this calendar year.

For now, Nurmagomedov is nevertheless keeping onto the title but Oliveira expects a new lightweight champion to be topped in the close to potential and he’s bought the great struggle in intellect to aid the division go forward.

“Khabib swore on his father’s grave that he was not heading to occur back again,” Oliveira reported. “When a person does that, I never consider he’s heading to occur back again. [Justin] Gaethje can go struggle whoever. But I want the winner of Conor [McGregor] and [Dustin] Poirier.

“I have 8 wins in a row. 7 of individuals, I concluded the battle. I really do not let it go to the judges’ arms. I complete fights. I’m in the placement to be combating for the belt.”

At UFC 257 in January, Conor McGregor will return to encounter Dustin Poirier in the main event following they formerly achieved at featherweight back in 2014. On that night time, McGregor scored a devastating initial round knockout but 6 yrs later Poirier is on the lookout to precise his revenge.

No subject who comes out on prime, Oliveira thinks he really should face the winner with the lightweight title heading up for grabs in that battle.

“I really do not definitely think there is a preference,” Oliveira explained. “I want to struggle for the belt. That’s been my desire and my team’s dream. Obviously preventing Conor requires a good deal of other things. It is a large amount of funds and a lot of other matters that possibly a combat with Dustin would not include but we genuinely want to earn the belt. It really does not make a difference.”

Oliveira’s wish to experience both McGregor or Poirier operates so deep that he’ll even look at serving as a backup for that most important occasion if the UFC desires him.

“I just have a slice over my eye,” Oliveira described. “So next week I’ll be high-quality. I have not misplaced a fight considering that Paul Felder and I was in the fitness center a week after that. So, Dana [White] just simply call my manager if you want me to fill in.”

Looking at the heights he’s now attained in his occupation, it’s hard to keep in mind when Oliveira was 2-2 with a single no contest at lightweight immediately after becoming a member of the UFC roster in 2010. It’s not very the very same distant memory but Oliveira also used a large amount of time preventing at featherweight wherever he was constantly depleting his overall body in a losing work to contend at 145 lbs.

Next his earn in excess of Ferguson Saturday night as he notched his eighth consecutive acquire, Oliveira held up a stone and he later discussed the importance of that rock when relating to his personal arduous journey in the activity.

“Everybody is aware of that I’m spiritual. I have a whole lot of religion in God,” Oliveira stated. “My dad climbed a hill and if you know the story of David [and Goliath], you know what that rock usually means.

“So that rock is from that hill and God is the most highly effective force there is.”