Charles Oliveira (34-10) wants to be fearless in his UFC 309 clash against Michael Chandler (23-8).
Oliveira and Chandler will clash in a five-round co-main event at UFC 309 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. Having previously shared the Octagon with Chandler, “do Bronx” respects his opponent but also promises not to back down.
“I think he’s a tough guy,” Oliveira told Shakiel Mahjouri. “A guy who always pushes forward like myself. I don’t want to walk back. I want to push forward as well. I want to go for the win, and I want to go for the win soon.”
Oliveira and Chandler previously fought at UFC 262 in 2021, when the Brazilian scored a spectacular come-from-behind technical knockout in the second round. However, Chandler had Oliveira in serious trouble in the first stanza, which is evident from two judges scoring it 10-8 in favor of the American.
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However, Oliveira notes that the scorecards are irrelevant as long as the fight doesn’t go the distance. The former champ has been known for engaging in risky scraps, which have often seen him come from behind to secure the win. Oliveira looks to bring that older version of himself at UFC 309, the one who won’t hesitate to take a few risks in order to impose his will.
“First of all, I don’t think it matters if someone gave it a 10-8. Because I didn’t take it to the judges. I finished him, so it don’t matter whether someone gave a 10-8 or not,” Oliveira said. “And I want to be that Charles that pushes forward. I want to impose my game. I want to get into my game. I want to be the Charles from the past, the one that’s always pushing forward, the one that’s not afraid to roll it a little bit and try to just go for the heel or something. The guy who’s just gonna get into positions and not afraid to make things happen. That’s the Charles Oliveira they want, the guy who’s the champion that everybody knows.”
Oliveira lost his title to Islam Makhachev via submission at UFC 280 in 2022 and bounced back with a knockout win over Beneil Dariush at UFC 289 the following year. “Do Bronx” most recently dropped a split decision against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 this past April.
Meanwhile, Chandler is 1-3 in his last four and hasn’t fought since December 2022, as he has been waiting on the sidelines for a Conor McGregor matchup.
