Charles Oliveira Discusses Arman Tsarukyan, Past Sparring Session with Alex Pereira

Charles Oliveira has responded to Arman Tsarukyan’s claim that he only has one way to finish a fight.

Tsarukyan recently indicated that Oliveira is overly reliant on the rear-naked choke in his fights. In an interview with Diego Ribas from Ag.Fight, Oliveira answered his UFC 300 opponent.

“People have to be concerned with the way they sell fights. I'm 14 years in the UFC, having 21 submissions and 10 knockouts and 44 MMA fights. If he really believes all I can do is take my opponent’s back and [get the choke], he better be careful not to get his back taken and submitted. Actually, I don’t care what my opponents say,” a smiling Oliveira said.

Oliveira is expecting a difficult fight against his American Top Team-trained opponent. The lightweight bout will be contested over five rounds and is considered to be a title eliminator.

"Of course I had [my team] studying my opponent´s game, but my focus has always been what I can take to him not what he can bring to me,” Oliveira said.

During the interview, Oliveira recalled a past sparring session with Alex Pereira, who will headline UFC 300 against Jamahal Hill. At the time, “Poatan” was not yet in the UFC.

"It was a long time ago when he visited Chute Boxe. We did a great sparring, then we went to lunch together and I joked I hope to one day have Poatan’s heavy hands, and he answered that one day he hopes to have Charles’ ground skills. It’s amazing to be able to meet him again on the main card of such a historical UFC.”  

Charles also talked about his pregnant wife, Vitoria.

"I´m living a unique moment,” he said. “I dreamed a lot about having a baby boy, since I already have my daughter Taila. I’m really happy, motivated. Fighting is fighting. Anything can happen, but I´m coming to this one with a very special energy.”