November 5, 2023 10:40 am ET
Charles Oliveira is eagerly anticipating a date for his rematch with Islam Makhachev, but claimed to be surprise at new reports of a January clash at UFC 297.
Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) was forced to withdraw from his anticipated second encounter with lightweight champ Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) at UFC 294 this past month. He sustained a cut over his eye in one of his final departure training sessions, causing him to pull out and be replaced by Alexander Volkanovski, who was knocked out in the first round.
UFC CEO Dana White expressed interest in booking Oliveira vs. Makhachev 2 next at 155 pounds, but it would depend on how quickly Oliveira’s cut healed. According to the Brazilian, he is nearing a return to full contact training.
“It was quite a deep cut,” Oliveira said on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 231 post-event show in Sao Paulo. “I don’t have