New York – Former UFC lightweight Charles Oliveira faces Michael Chandler for the second time in their careers with a possible title shot on the line at UFC 309 on Saturday night.
“He’s trying to prove that he can beat me. I’m trying to prove that I can beat him again. Let’s put that in the past and let’s focus on this one,” Oliveira told reporters including Cageside Press through a translator on Wednesday.
Oliveira (34-10) first faced Chandler at UFC 262 for the vacant lightweight title. He won by TKO and now Chandler is back saying he plans to separate Oliveira from his conciousness.
“He wants to be the champ for the first time. I want to be the champion again. I’ve beaten Michael Chandler once, and I’m going to beat Michael Chandler again,” he said.
“A lot of people come and talk. Everybody comes here and says the same thing. They talk the talk, they say they have plans about things, they’re going to do something. This is a magical stage, a great place to be, the energy of the crowd. I’m going to be there in this fight. Pushing forward, charging forward, and on the 16th you’re going to see it happening.”
Oliveira stands at 19 career bonuses. One more this Saturday and he’ll be the first fighter to hit 20 bonuses in a UFC career.
“I don’t come here looking for bonuses. The bonuses find me,” he said.
With a win over Chandler it’s possible that Oliveira will get a shot at the lightweight title once again. With rumors of Islam Makhachev defending his title against Arman Tsarukyan, and Oliveira having losses to both, who would he rather challenge for the title?
“A fighter wants to be a champion. We want the title. I’m not looking for Arman. I’m not looking for Islam,” Oliveira said.
“I’m looking for who has the title. I will be there first row watching it. Whoever has that belt that’s the person I want to get.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Charles Oliveira above. He takes on Michael Chandler at UFC 309 on Saturday night.
