Charles Oliveira will square off against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300. The winner of this bout is most likely to fight for the title against Islam Makhachev. Usually, this is an ideal spot for any contender, however, not necessarily for the Brazilian. The former lightweight champion fought and was defeated by the Dagestani in October of 2022.
Since then, he had an opportunity to avenge his defeat, however, the bout never came to fruition. Moreover, Chael Sonnen, MMA Insider, advances the claim that he has reasons to believe Oliveira does not want to fight the champion anytime soon and is in a state of panic ahead of his title eliminator.
Charles Oliveira is in a tough spot!
To say Sonnen is an opinionated person would be an understatement. It is not uncommon to see him advancing peculiar observations and insights regarding the sport. Recently, according to Yahoo, he stated,
“I just told you guys that he doesn’t want to fight Islam. He doesn’t want to fight Islam to the degree that he has refused to fight Islam.”
Hence, Sonnen believes the former champion is in a tough spot. Because if the Brazilian wins his next contest, he would be asked to face the champion. While narrating his opinions and weighing in on the upcoming match-up at UFC 300, on his YouTube channel, he said,
“Problem though, allegedly, whoever wins that fight draws into Islam. Charles doesn’t want to fight Islam, according to Charles. He’s fought him, and doesn’t want to fight him again.”
The aforementioned claims might raise some eyebrows. Because the Brazilian till now has not expressed his disinterest in facing the champion, however, that is Sonnen being unapologetically himself. His predictions, in the past, have been proven to be accurate but not always. Also, whether or not Charles Oliveira will face the champion again is subject to a potential win in his next fight. Although he is a betting favourite, the likelihood of an upset cannot be understated.
Charles Oliveira must defeat an ‘Assassin’ to fight for the title
According to Sonnen, Charles Oliveira does not want to fight for the world championship, and one may agree or disagree with his opinion. But we do know for certain that he must win his next fight to be given an opportunity. However, he is fighting a formidable, young, and ferocious fighter named Arman Tsarukyan. His skill set cannot be underestimated.
So much so, even UFC commentator, Joe Rogan endorses him with praise, on his podcast, while talking about him, Rogan said,
“He has one loss to Cameron and one loss to Islam Makhachev and by most people’s eye’s number 1 or number 2 pound for pound in the world,” he adds, “That guy, Arman Tsarukyan, is a f*cking assassin.”
