Former UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira, is preparing to showcase his grappling prowess as he gears up for his return to the competition scene. The UFC star is set to participate in a grappling match against Bellator MMA contender Cristiano Souza.
Despite triumphing over Gaethje, Oliveira faced Islam Makhachev for the vacant lightweight championship in October. However, he fell short in securing the belt. Despite his dominance over other top contenders in the division, Oliveira struggled against Makhachev, eventually succumbing to an arm-triangle in the second round.
Continuing his journey, Oliveira clashed with prominent contender Beneil Dariush last month. Demonstrating his skills, Oliveira secured a first-round technical knockout victory, putting an end to Dariush’s eight-win streak.
This victory has positioned Oliveira as a potential contender for the lightweight title currently held by Islam Makhachev. The two are scheduled for a rematch in the headline event of UFC 294, set to take place on October 21 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
In preparation for his imminent return, Oliveira has chosen to further refine his grappling abilities. He is all set to participate in the Gold Talents BJJ event, which is scheduled for Sunday, August 6 in São Paulo, Brazil.
Oliveira highlighted the significance of this Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition, mentioning that two of his teammates will also be competing. Representing the Chute Boxe Diego Lima team, Oliveira will face off against Cristiano Souza from team Nova Acao.
“This is an esteemed Jiu-Jitsu and submission event. Apart from myself, two of my students will be participating as well. I look forward to seeing all of you there,” Oliveira commented online.
For UFC athletes, engaging in grappling matches is not an uncommon practice. Many stars with a grappling background participate in these matches to earn extra income and enhance their grappling skills. These matches also provide a valuable opportunity for stars to sharpen their techniques outside of the octagon.
