Charles Oliveira calls out Tony Ferguson and Dustin Poirier
Lightweight contender Charles Oliveira knows who he wants to fight next in the Octagon.
Unlike many athletes who struggled to stay active during the coronavirus pandemic, lightweight contender Charles Oliveira actually took advantage of the situation to take some time off and nurse a shoulder injury for the past months. Now, all healed up, ‘Do Bronx’ wants to jump right back into action.
With a submission win over Kevin Lee back in March, Oliveira scored his seventh straight stoppage victory in the Octagon, and now looks at the division’s top contenders for his next outing. In an interview with Ag Fight, Charles called out both former interim champions Tony Ferguson and Dustin Poirier for a match in the near future.
“I fought injured against Lee,” Oliveira said. “I had a shoulder injury and the pandemic helped me take some time off to recover 100%, and the UFC took some time off, too. As soon as the UFC came back, I tried to stay in shape and ready, just waiting for a call. I called out Conor McGregor, but it didn’t work. There was Paul Felder, who defeated me, but he doesn’t know what he wants. He says he is retired.”
“I’m in my best moment, seven straight wins, five by submission, two by knockout.” Charles continued. “I don’t ever leave it in the hands of the judges. My managers have been reaching out to the UFC, letting them know I’m ready, just give me a call. I’m game against anyone in the top 5. I think I would have a war against Dustin Poirier, because of his style. Tony Ferguson, too. He’s a former champion, and even though he lost his last fight, he was on a 12-fight win streak before. Surely those would be good names.”
Before his submission win over Kevin Lee, Charles Oliveira (29-8-1 NC) also scored victories over some notable lightweights during his impressive streak, including Jim Miller, Clay Guida and Nik Lentz. The 30-year-old’s last loss is a TKO defeat to Paul Felder, back in December 2017.