Charles Oliveira doesn't see Dustin Poirier or Arman Tsarukyan dethroning UFC champ Islam Makhachev

by Christina S. Brown
0 comments

Charles Oliveira picks Islam Makhachev to beat Dustin Poirier and Arman Tsarukyan.

Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) defends his light-weight title in opposition to Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 302 (pay-per-view/ESPN2/ESPN+) headliner at Prudential Middle in Newark, N.J.

Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) fought each Makhachev and Poirier earlier than. “Do Bronx” choked out Poirier to retain his light-weight title at UFC 269 and was dropped and submitted in his vacant title battle in opposition to Makhachev at UFC 280.

“Each striker that faces Islam goes to be the identical factor: (Makhachev) will take you down and have greater possibilities at successful,” Oliveira advised MMA Combating. “However we’re speaking about MMA, and one hand, one strike that lands can positively get you the victory.

“Dustin Poirier has proven that in his final battle, he’s proven that many occasions already. He has heavy fingers and hits exhausting, so he positively can knock him out, however I believe Islam stays as champion.”

Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who defeated Oliveira by break up resolution at UFC 300 in April, was the unique No. 1 contender earlier than he declined the short-notice alternative. Oliveira doesn’t assume he has the talent set to beat Makhachev in a rematch.

“Arman is a man that takes you down and holds you there all the time,” Oliveira stated. “No means. It’s not a battle he can win. In fact, I’ve simply stated this and I can’t backtrack, we’re speaking about MMA, and it’s very unpredictable.

“A man closes his eyes and throws a hand that lands, you’re knocked out. He throws a kick that lands, you shoot for a takedown and find yourself in a submission. MMA is unpredictable, however I believe Islam is far more skilled, has extra focus, extra starvation, and is far stronger than Arman.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 302.

Make sure to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of blended martial arts.

You may also like