Charles Oliveira, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, has admitted that he wasn’t at his best during his fight against Islam Makhachev. Oliveira, who has been dominating the lightweight division, faced Makhachev in a highly anticipated match, but the result left many fans and critics confused, as the Brazilian fighter was unable to secure a convincing victory.
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Not Being at His Best
In a recent interview, Oliveira opened up about his performance in the fight, saying, “I wasn’t at my best against Islam Makhachev.” He went on to explain that even though he won the fight, he was far from satisfied with his performance. “I’m happy with the win, but I know I can do better. I didn’t show my full potential,” he added. This is a surprising admission from a fighter who has been on a dominant run in the 155-pound division, holding a record of 31-8 with 27 finishes.
Oliveira also mentioned that he was dealing with personal issues leading up to the fight, which may have affected his performance. “I had some issues in my personal life, but I don’t want to make excuses. I know I can do better, and I will,” he promised. It’s worth noting that despite not being at his best, the Brazilian fighter was still able to secure a unanimous decision victory over Makhachev, who was considered one of the toughest challengers in the division.
Looking Ahead to Future Fights
Despite the less than stellar performance against Makhachev, Oliveira has no shortage of potential opponents looking to challenge him for the lightweight title. One of the most talked-about matchups is a fight against former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje. Gaethje, who is coming off an impressive win over Michael Chandler in November 2021, has expressed interest in facing Oliveira for the title.
When asked about a potential fight against Gaethje, Oliveira seemed eager for the challenge. “I’m ready for anyone. If it’s Gaethje, then let’s do it. I want to prove that I’m the best in the world, and I will do that by facing the best fighters,” he said. With his impressive winning streak and dominant performances, it’s hard to argue against Oliveira being one of the top fighters in the lightweight division. Fans will undoubtedly be excited to see him back in action, hopefully, at his best, as he continues to defend his title.