Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has revealed that he never wanted to fight Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi but had to because, first and foremost, he’s a UFC employee.
Oliveira was stripped of the 155-pound title after missing weight ahead of UFC 274, where he submitted Justin Gaethje with a rear-naked choke. He wanted to fight Conor McGregor next, but that bout never came through.
The Brazilian was ultimately left with no choice but to fight Makhachev in Abu Dhabi despite his best efforts to get the fight booked in New York instead of the UAE, where the latter is perceived to have a hometown advantage.