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ROCHESTER, NY – MAY 18: Charles Oliveira stands in the octagon during a lightweight bout against Nik Lentz at Blue Cross Arena on May 18, 2019 in Rochester, New York. Oliveira defeats Lentz in the second-round by TKO. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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ROCHESTER, NY – MAY 18: Charles Oliveira stands in the octagon during a lightweight bout against Nik Lentz at Blue Cross Arena on May 18, 2019 in Rochester, New York. Oliveira defeats Lentz in the second-round by TKO. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Streaking UFC lightweight contender Charles Oliveira has an interesting game plan set up come January 23, 2021, at UFC 257. ‘Do Bronx’ explained that he’s looking to insert himself into the conversation with the winner of the main event. The card is headlined by Conor McGregor, who makes his return in a highly anticipated rematch from 2014 against Dustin Poirier.
Oliveira’s stock is at an all-time high as he’s fresh off a win against former interim champion Tony Ferguson. The Brazilian stomped all over ‘El Cucuy’ and has become the ‘nightmare’ match-up for Khabib Nurmagomedov in some fans’ eyes. His fighting style certainly leaves very little room for error for his opponents, especially if it hits the canvas.
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Charles Oliveira set to shoot his shot at UFC 257
Oliveira spoke to AG Fight and explained he wanted to be cage-side in Abu Dhabi for the UFC 257 fight card. While the fight he wants off the bat is against Khabib Nurmagomedov, a call-out of the winner of Poirier vs McGregor is more viable. Being present in person at cage-side certainly bolsters his odds of securing that fight.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 11: Charles Oliveira of Brazil poses on the scale during the UFC 256 weigh-in at UFC APEX on December 11, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“The only guy who comes from eight straight wins, taking everyone for nothing, is called Charles Oliveira. This is the only guy who should fight Khabib. There is no other way to be taken. There will be a fight between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor, and I just have to sit in the front row, waiting for which of the two will come to fight me,” Oliveira said.
“My manager is negotiating this (going to Abu Dhabi). But I also have my foot on the ground, I know that we are in a pandemic, that it is difficult for things to happen. So, I understand if they can’t take me. I really wanted to be there in the first row, looking at this fight because this fight speaks a lot (for the future).” (translated via Google Translate)
Oliveira has been an elite lightweight for a meaningful period. However, he’s just starting to receive his stripes. The Brazilian grappling phenom is on the cusp of securing a title fight. A fight against another huge name will certainly seal the deal.
