Brazilian fighter Charles Oliveira, a UFC star, stated that the only fight that makes sense for him right now is the lightweight title (70 kg) bout currently held by Justin Gaethje, the man who surprised the entire world last June by defeating Ilia Topuria in a bloody confrontation.
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Oliveira, a former lightweight champion, is now ranked third and holds the organization’s BMF belt, a symbolic award that recognizes athletes who deliver the most intense fights.
In an exclusive interview with El Comercio during his visit to Lima, the Brazilian athlete also stated that he is not thinking about a potential fight against England’s Paddy Pimblett, who last weekend submitted France’s Benoit Saint Denis with a shocking ‘peruvian necktie’ – a technique rarely seen in UFC – and climbed to fifth place in the division.
Charles Oliveira, who has a record of 37 wins and 11 losses in his professional career, offered a seminar last Wednesday, tickets for which sold out in just 40 minutes after going on sale.
Additionally, he was a guest of honor at the second edition of the “Uppercut Tournament,” a mixed martial arts (MMA) event by Uppercut, a Peruvian brand specializing in combat sports articles and accessories.
– The present of your division is interesting for you, because the champion is someone you have already beaten. Also, you have the BMF belt and Max [Holloway] beat Conor [McGregor] and you have already beaten Max. What interests you now in the division?
I think I don’t have much to think about or do. The right fight that needs to happen is Charles Oliveira vs. [Justin] Gaethje. There’s something in the past and now Gaethje is the champion, but I was also champion and today I am the BMF champion. So, there is no other more interesting fight than this: Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje. I think we are just aligning things to understand each other and sign a new contract. I think that’s what should happen.
– And are you interested, for example, in Paddy [Pimblett], who is a fighter who is growing and is also popular?
No, I think we have to focus on the right things. I think the right path now is to contend for the title and not think about any other fight than that. Yes, [Paddy] is a guy who is coming with a lot…, with very good growth in UFC, but I’m not thinking about that. I’m thinking about being champion once again and fighting for the title. Only that.
– Do you already know when your next fight will be? Your last fight was in March, do you plan to fight this year?
Yes, I want to fight again this year, but you have to understand: I want to fight Gaethje and he said he will return next year. So, I’m not in a hurry, I can wait. The important thing is to know that I want to fight for the title, that’s the most important thing.
– How many more fights do you have on your current contract?
I have seven more fights. Now I signed for eight fights and seven remain. UFC likes my work, so I also like being there. We are doing very well.
– But you have no interest in moving up to welterweight, right?
No, I have to think about one thing at a time. When we think about many things, things don’t work out. I want to think and focus on fighting for the title again, winning, enjoying a bit.
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– So, what is your plan in UFC?
My path is this: fight for the title again, have that opportunity again. We are already negotiating, talking for UFC to give me a new opportunity.
– Did you imagine what happened last weekend with Conor McGregor?
No, I don’t think anyone thought that. But Conor is an idol for everyone, he is someone gigantic. I don’t like the way he sells his fights, but nobody wants to see someone get hurt or lose a fight that way. I was there, I was watching the fight and everyone was dismayed by everything that happened. I hope he gets better.
– You are a fighter with a very important career: you have many victories, you were champion and you also had some defeats, but you were able to recover from them. Ilia Topuria suffered a very tough defeat against Gaethje, how can someone return to the top after something like that?
I think he is a great one, a great champion, a great name. He always had great fights, but [losing] is part of this, winning and losing is part of this. The most important thing is how to come back. I think yes, he [Topuria] will come back as the great champion he is. He has to have a strong mind, have good people close to him who can encourage him and be able to get on the path to victory. A defeat doesn’t make a difference, the important thing is to come back, be close to family, understand, enjoy the good things to compete again at a high level, as he always competed.
– In your school, Chute Boxe de Sao Paulo, some Peruvian fighters train. What do you know about Peruvian MMA?
Yes. Actually, those of us who live in the world of fighting have to know a little bit about everything. I have had the opportunity to meet great fighters from Peru who train with us at Chute Boxe, among others who are in Brazil. And I know that [Peruvians] are people who have a lot of heart, who believe a lot in their dreams: they have great talent, they fight very well. We have [José] Ochoa, a great name who is in UFC and trains with us, he has a good heart. Peruvians have a very big heart, they always give everything in the cage and put on a show for everyone.
– In some interviews, you have said that for you, horse racing is a hobby and that’s why, when you compete, you don’t feel any pressure, you don’t feel the obligation to win. But what happens when you have to fight?
Horses are something I have for myself, to enjoy a bit and give my mind a rest, apart from my family. I am very passionate about horses. But fighting is my job, it’s what allows me to buy my horses, to be able to give something and enjoy with my family. I know how to differentiate one thing from the other: fights are [the place] I found to fulfill my family’s dream, to have my house, a good car, eat well; but horses are something I am passionate about.
– Finally, do you have a favorite fighter, an idol or an athlete you admire a lot, who has been an inspiration to you?
No, I can’t say I have an idol, because I had great names and regretted it when I met them personally. But in the world of MMA we have great names that we watch, applaud and like to see fight.
– Like whom?
Jon Jones is someone I always watch and like to see. Conor [McGregor] and [Ilia] Topuria are great fighters. Álex Pereira.
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