Charles Oliveira is no stranger to high-profile matchups. He has fought against the best in the lightweight division and emerged victorious. Leading up to UFC 294, a sparring video of Oliveira has excited fans about his prospects.
The former lightweight champion is scheduled to face Islam Makhachev in the headliner bout. After seeing the high-paced sparring video, fans are supporting the Brazilian to come out on top against the Russian champion.
Charles Oliveira stuns fans with a latest workout video
The latest workout video posted by Charles Oliveira showed the Brazilian fighter showcasing his improved striking. It is worth noting that, Oliveira was dropped in each of his title fights against Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, and Islam Makhachev.
The video shows ‘Do Bronx’ showing his Muay Thai strikes as he is shown throwing front knees and elbows. In his most recent appearance at UFC 289, he defeated Beneil Dariush with strikes. He also showed good striking defense in the bout, an area where he was not good at in his previous bouts.
Islam Makhachev submitted the Brazilian at UFC 280 after knocking him down with a lead right hook. The Brazilian has been dropped before but fighters were unwilling to engage with the Brazilian on the ground as they were wary of his submission game.
UFC 294 is set for October 21, 2023, with the co-main event being a middleweight clash between Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev. The co-main event along with the main event are among the highly anticipated clashes of the calendar year.
UFC fighter backs Charles Oliveira to beat Islam Makhachev
Grant Dawson, currently gearing up for his bout against Bobby Green in UFC Fight Night 229, has shared his take on the lightweight title fight. While acknowledging Makhachev’s skills, Dawson emphasized the potential competitiveness of the rematch. One of the main reasons he pinpointed was the Brazilian’s newfound familiarity with Makhachev’s techniques.
Having already shared the Octagon with Makhachev, Oliveira will likely come in better prepared both mentally and strategically. In their initial showdown at UFC 280, Makhachev showcased his prowess by submitting Oliveira in the second round.
The victory was a significant feather in Makhachev’s cap as it further cemented his status as a dominant force in the lightweight division. Dawson also reflected on Makhachev’s recent bout against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284. While Makhachev did secure the win, his performance wasn’t as dominant as many had expected, proving that there are chinks in his armor.
Who do you think will be the lightweight champion at the end of 2023? Comment below!
