UFC 280: Charles Oliveira believes he’s ‘a problem for this division’ (video)

Charles Oliveira looks to continue his historic UFC run at UFC 280.

Charles Oliveira comes into UFC 280 with a mission in mind. He’s looking to regain the UFC lightweight championship that he lost on the scale heading into UFC 274. To do so he will have to get past an exceptionally challenging foe in Islam Makhachev. It’s the type of test that if he passes with flying colors, it’s another astounding accolade that has been the narrative of Oliveira’s career rebirth over the past four years.

“I’m here to make history again. I’m here to make history again,” Oliveira said during the UFC 280 media day. “I’m the best in this division and I’m a problem for this division.”

Oliveira’s UFC tenure has been one of difficulties. The same man that struggled to get past individuals like Cub Swanson, Paul Felder, and Donald Cerrone is now riding one of the most prolific win streaks in UFC history. Since 2018 he has won 11 straight fights and done so in highlight-reel fashion, stopping 10 of those opponents along the way. In the eyes of many, Oliveira’s run to the lightweight championship is the stuff of legends. He even hinted on going back to 145 to fight for Alexander Volkanovski’s featherweight title.

“Everyone knows I’m the champion at lightweight, there’s nothing to prove,” Oliveira said. “At the end of the night, it’s have your hand raised and end the night.”

Islam Makhachev stands in the way of Charles Oliveira regaining the title

Makhachev may not have gone through the same path of top fighters as Oliveira to get to this title shot, but that does not mean he has been any less dominant. Since his professional debut 12 years ago, Makhachev has suffered only one defeat. That came back at UFC 192 when Adriano Martins stopped him in less than two minutes.

Since then, Makhachev has shut out fighter after fighter. His ten-fight win streak includes obtaining victories over Nik Lentz, Davi Ramos, Drew Dober, Dan Hooker, and most recently Bobby Green in February. With former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner as a coach, many are tagging him as the next big deal and champion from that region of the world.

“I think Islam deserves all the respect in the world, but I think he should have fought someone in the top five like I did,” Oliveira said. “Not surf on someone else’s name and skip the line like he did. This fight is only happening because of him [Nurmagomedov].”

UFC 280: Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev takes place on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, live from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Follow along with FanSided MMA for all your news and highlights.