Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has responded to Arman Tsarukyan‘s claim that he is a one-dimensional fighter, stating that he has multiple skills and is determined to win their upcoming fight at UFC 300.
Charles Oliveira, the MMA fighter, isn’t one to start trash talk before fights. But he won’t just sit there and take it either.
He’s set to face Arman Tsarukyan in the upcoming UFC 300 card on April 13. And he’s got something to say to Tsarukyan’s claim that he’s a one-dimensional fighter. Tsarukyan’s been downplaying Oliveira’s impressive stats, saying he’s only good at taking his opponents’ backs and submitting them with rear-naked chokes.
Oliveira’s response? “People say what they want, right?” He points out that if he’s so one-dimensional, how come he’s got 16 submissions on his UFC record? And those knockouts he’s scored, were they just submissions in disguise?
He’s heard it all before. People saying he’s a quitter, that he’s not hungry for the win. But he’s been knocked down, got back up, and knocked them out. He wants that championship again, bad.
The trash talk doesn’t bother him. He respects Tsarukyan as an opponent. But he’s quick to remind Tsarukyan that he’s not just anyone, he’s the number one in the division. He’s got the record for most submissions, most bonuses.
Oliveira’s coming off a win against Beneil Dariush at UFC 289. Tsarukyan stopped Dariush the following December. Oliveira’s finished his opponents in 31 of his 34 wins. And he’s planning on doing the same to Tsarukyan at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
He’s an aggressive fighter, always moving forward. He’s evolving, growing inside the cage. He’s not worried about what Tsarukyan can do, he’s focused on what he can do. He’s going for the win, doesn’t want to leave it to the judges.
He’s confident he’ll win and be next in line for the belt. He’s even open to a rematch with Makhachev later this year. But if a fight with Conor McGregor comes up, he’s willing to change course.
Why McGregor? The money, of course. But he doesn’t think McGregor would ever agree to the matchup. He believes McGregor only takes fights he’s sure he can win. But hey, who knows?