Charles Oliveira Favors Islam Makhachev Against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284

After his loss to Islam Makhachev in a lightweight title bout at UFC 280 this past October, Charles Oliveira turned down an opportunity to fight in Rio de Janeiro on Jan. 21.

During his time off since that defeat, “Do Bronx” has also avoided doing media. However, Oliveira recently broke his silence in an interview with Brazilian podcast Super Lutas, where he discussed the loss to Makhachev. The former lightweight champion, who doesn’t yet have a date for his UFC return, revealed that he hasn’t yet watched the bout but wouldn’t change anything if he faced the Dagestani again.

“Islam was better. I have no excuses but I wouldn't do anything different from what I did,” he said. “I saw some people talking s—t, saying I was walking with lions in the week of the fight. They know nothing. I know how much I trained for this fight.”

Makhachev is scheduled to make his first 155-pound title defense against reigning featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 on Feb. 11. Oliveira sees Makhachev as a slight favorite in the fight.

“If Islam is able to close the distance and take him down, there is nothing much left to do,” Oliveira said. “But Volkanovski has great takedown defense and strong hands. If he is able to move and control the distance, he may surprise Islam. It will be a question of who will implement his game plan better.”