ABU DHABI – Charles Oliveira doesn’t believe Islam Makhachev when he says he was willing to fight him in Brazil.
Oliveira (33-8 MMA, 21-8 UFC) will face Makhachev (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 280 main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi – Makhachev’s adopted home. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.
Oliveira is coming off a first-round submission of Justin Gaethje at UFC 274, which took place in Gaethje’s hometown of Phoenix. The Brazilian said he is starting to relish upsetting the masses in enemy territory.