The coach of ex-Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champ Charles Oliveira did not mince words about others in that division.
In the UFC, there is no champion at 155 pounds. This is due to a dramatic episode on the scale ahead of UFC 274, where then-titleholder Oliveira missed weight. His opponent Justin Gaethje remained the only one of the two eligible to win the belt at night’s end. The Brazilian came back from adversity to submit Gaethje in the first round, and the title remained vacant. UFC President Dana White stated that Oliveira would have a chance to earn his throne back, and Oliveira’s coach Diego Lima spoke to Sherdog on Wednesday about the championship picture and what’s next for his fighter.
“Charles did three belt disputes in 12 months. He is coming from an 11-fight win streak, has beaten all the submission records in UFC history,” an exasperated Lima professed. “If UFC is planning to make an event in Sao Paulo or Rio [in] December, it would make all sense to have him here leading this card. I can guarantee if they make Charles and Conor [McGregor] in Sao Paulo, UFC fans will see the most exciting and noisy crowd in UFC history.”
If the bout against McGregor – a man Oliveira called out in his post-fight interview – does not materialize, Oliveira and his team are keeping their eyes transfixed on rising talent Islam Makhachev.
“Both McGregor or Makhachev would make sense,” Lima admitted. “Our plan A would be Conor in Brazil in December; Plan B, New York [in] November; and the last choice would be Abu Dhabi [in] October. Charles is coming from four wars against top-five contenders. Makhachev just faced one top 10 until now, [so] why should Charles go to Abu Dhabi, which is almost [Islam’s] hometown, to face him there? What did Makhachev do to have such a big advantage over a guy who beat all UFC records and got his belt stripped due to a mistake of the athletic commission?”
While upset at the situation that transpired at UFC 274, Lima made sure to explain that he nor his fighter hold any ill will toward the promotion or its president.
“We have a wonderful relationship with Dana and UFC” Lima noted. “At the end of the day we are employees; we pretty much understand that there are many factors involved in a decision like that. But after all Charles did lately, it’s more than fair to listen the champion’s opinion.”
The Chute Boxe head coach also talked about Khabib Nurmagomedov’s recent statement, where the former champion said Makhachev would travel to Brazil to defeat Oliveira in front of his home fans.
“Khabib was always recognized as an example of someone who doesn't talk, but makes and also for hating trash talkers,” the coach stated. “Now he is doing exactly what he criticized about McGregor. If he is so sure that Makhachev will beat Charles, why [doesn’t he] send a ‘double contract’ guaranteeing he would face Charles in case of Islam’s loss?”
Lima was not finished talking about his team, however, as it has a new recruit: UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo.
“I explained to [Figueiredo] that we don’t do camps here in Chute Boxe. Here, we work as a family, where everybody helps each other, and everybody here is open to teach and learn. He came from Belem with his wife and kids, and we welcomed him here in Sao Paulo to be part of the family, not to make camps.”
According to Lima, Figueiredo is still recovering from his hand injury and has not started any major training yet. The organization already put together an interim 125-pound championship bout between Brandon Moreno and Kai Kara France due to his injury, even though Figueiredo won his belt back in January.
“He participated in a wrestling class and also did some technical drills, but did not work on sparring yet,” the Chute Boxe head coach concluded.
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