Despite losing to Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira is determined to win back the UFC championship

“No one is ever going to hit me as hard as life has hit me,” Oliveira said.

“I fell down, and I’m going to get up and I’m going to get this belt back.”

Many were taken aback when Oliveira, the UFC record holder for most submissions, was submitted via arm-triangle choke in the second round of the main event.

Oliveira did not offer any explanations for Makhachev’s championship performance and instead gave him the praise he deserved.

“We’re fighters. That’s bound to happen,” Oliveira said.

“Today, Islam Makhachev was better than I was. There’s days that you’re going to be better than other people. There’s days that they’re going to be better than you. There’s not much to do. We’re going to meet again.”

When asked about Makhachev’s next move, UFC president Dana White revealed that the featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is the likely opponent for Makhachev to defend his title against in a champion vs. champion battle in 2023. For Makhachev’s first defense, he ruled out a rematch with Oliveira.

“You never know what exactly the promotion is going to choose,” Oliveira said.

“They change minds all the time, so who am I to say something?

“The truth is that Charles Oliveira is still the No. 1 contender in the division. So what we’re going to do is go back home, see my family, talk to my managers, assess the matters, butt heads a little bit with the UFC. I’ve always done everything the UFC has asked of me. I’ve always fought in other people’s homes. So we’re just going to wait a little bit. (There’s) not much for me to choose. We’re going to be home and negotiate it from there.”