Outside Source
Shortly after the controversy, Oliveira clarified by posting a video on his Instagram.
“If it was posted, it’s because there’s something,” Oliveira wrote. “I just want to make it clear to you that this fight won’t be in January because I’m on vacation and haven’t returned to training yet. But this fight will happen because Max wants it, I want it, you fans want it, and the UFC wants it. It will probably take place in March or April.”
Rooting for Gaethje
On Friday, the Brazilian YouTube channel “Olhar da Luta” published a video interview with Oliveira where he had already made it clear that he was on vacation with his family and had not yet returned to training. Asked about how he viewed the fight for the interim belt between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje, the Brazilian did not hide his support for his former opponent.
“Gaethje has very hard hands. I think Pimblett won’t want to exchange blows, he’ll try to take him down like he did in his last fight,” Oliveira said. “I think the result of this fight will depend on the choices. If Pimblett goes to exchange blows, he will be knocked out, but if he manages to take Justin down he can be champion. Personally, I would like Gaethje to win. I think he has dedicated many years to the sport and always delivered great fights. It would be nice for him to retire with the belt.”
With Ilia Topuria stepping away from MMA due to personal issues, the immediate future of the lightweight division remains in doubt. Oliveira believes that if he beats Holloway and wins the BMF belt, he will still need to have one more fight before the title.
“Before Topuria returns, I think the winner of Gaethje and Pimblett will have to put the interim belt on the line against Arman [Tsarukyan],” Oliveira said.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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