'Machine' Charles Oliveira vows to do damage to Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi

Charles Oliveira says he will charge forward “like a tank and bring damage" in his UFC title bout against Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi in October — then defend the belt against Alexander Volkanovski at the beginning of next year.

Oliveira, 32, takes on Makhachev in the headline bout at UFC 280 at Etihad Arena on October 22. The Brazilian will be attempting to regain the lightweight title he relinquished in May by missing weight before his defence against Justin Gaethje.

Despite riding an 11-fight win streak, Oliveira goes into the contest as the underdog for many given Makhachev’s talent — he has 10 consecutive wins — and the fact the fight takes place in Abu Dhabi, which the Dagestani calls his second home.

Speaking on Friday to The National from London, where he was visiting to promote UFC 280, Oliveira said: “Charles is aggressive. Charles is a machine. Just like a tank, I will be charging forward.

“I will bring my best game, and you’ve seen what I can do. I have my jiu-jitsu ― it's well-rounded ― and I will bring damage in this coming fight.

“I’m there to achieve a proper result, I won’t let the judges bring their decision and their subjected perception of what will happen. Because I will come aggressive; I have a better standing game than he does, a better jiu-jitsu game than he does. And we will see it happen.”

Makhachev, the division’s No 4-ranked contender, is no stranger to Abu Dhabi having fought, and won, there twice already. A longtime teammate and friend of retired former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, he enjoys considerable support in the UAE and throughout the region.

L-E-T-S G-O!Goin' to face Islam Makhachev @ #UFC280, in Abu Dhabi, October 22th.B-O-R-A!Vou lutar contra o Islam Makhachev no UFC