Charles Oliveira targeting return in March or April to earn rematch against Islam Makhachev: “I’m one fight away from him”
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is gearing up for a busy year.
![Charles Oliveira, Islam Makhachev](https://www.bjpenn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Charles-Oliveira-Islam-Makhachev.jpg)
‘Do Bronx’ has been out of action since his lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 in October. The Brazilian was famously previously stripped of his 155-pound championship in May, prior to a title defense against Justin Gaethje.
At UFC 280, it was all dominance from the Russian. Makhachev wound up dominating the former champion en route to a second-round submission win to claim gold. The defeat was Oliveira’s first since 2017, as the loss also snapped an 11-fight winning streak for him.
Nonetheless, Charles Oliveira isn’t looking to take any steps back for his return. In a recent interview with AgFight, the former champion stated his plans to return in March or April. Ideally, he would like to face a top contender in the lightweight division.
Beyond that, the Brazilian is hoping to get a rematch with Islam Makhachev as well. Oliveira believes that he’s just one fight away from a rematch with the Russian, and he plans to earn it next time out.
![Charles Oliveira](https://www.bjpenn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Charles-Oliveira-2.jpg)
(via Zuffa LLC)
“I’ve been a long way from that belt,” Charles Oliveira said. “Today, I’m one fight away from him. UFC knows that – knows that I want. I didn’t come here to play, I came to make history want to fight around the end of March, April, that’s my timing. I need to fight on that date. And I need a guy who [is] winning, will definitely be the next challenger for the title.” (h/t LowKickMMA)
“He [Islam Makhachev] will fight now in February, so I, in March, April, caught a guy who puts me in front of the goal again for the title at the end of the year,” Charles Oliveira explained. “For sure [just one more fight to the belt]. Now I fight in March, April and at the end of the year for the title again.”
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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Charles Oliveira Islam Makhachev UFC