Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira and Islam Makhachev are almost polar opposites. Both men are fascinating characters. While Oliveira has overcome tremendous adversity and hardship to become the UFC champion, Islam Makhachev comes from Dagestan and has the stoic, steely resolve that Dagestani fighters have.

Islam beat Charles last year to become the UFC Lightweight Champion. Since then, fans have eagerly waited for a rematch between the two. But what makes their matchup so interesting is more than what they can do in the Octagon.

Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev- a study of contrasts

Olivera is the perennial underdog. Diagnosed with a heart murmur and rheumatic fever at the age of 7, doctors told Oliveira that he would never be able to play sports. At 12 years old, Charles Oliveira started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 2 months later, he became the Sao Paulo champion.

And this trend of Olivera prevailing despite all odds continued well into his UFC career, winning big fights despite being counted out in fights such as against Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier. But, just when Olivera was getting the respect he thinks he deserves, in comes Islam Makhachev, forcing Olivera to submit in the second round of their clash at UFC 280 last year.

The colorful Olivera grew up in the famous favelas of Sao Paulo in poverty and has a relaxed, colorful, and cheery personality, which may make it harder to see Olivera’s granite will and uncompromising work ethic.

Islam Makhachev is not an underdog. He is very much in the Khabib, or for the more cinematically minded folks, Rocky 4 Ivan Drago’s “I will crush you” mold. There is the same ruthless competence, the same strict discipline, and the same hard sparring that are some hallmarks of Dagestani fighters‌; best exemplified by Khabib Nurmagomedov.

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You know what you expect from Islam- a calm, clinical, almost disinterested domination of his opponents, usually on the ground owing to his excellent wrestling skills.

It is this contrast in their personalities that makes their matchup so fascinating. But, recent developments indicate that the fans may have to wait a few extra months for their rematch.

When will the Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev fight take place?

In the UFC 289 post-fight press conference, Dana White made clear that Oliveira and Makhachev will fight soon.

“That’s the fight (Oliveira vs Makhachev) that should happen. And I’m excited to see it again,” Dana told reporters. “But I’m just telling you right here right now (Makhachev vs. Oliveira) is a fight I’d like to see again,” he added.

However, in a Twitter post, MMA journalist Aron Bronsteter revealed that Oliveira told him he will not be fighting Makhachev in October and is hoping to face him in November or December:

Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, quote tweeted that tweet and declared simply that Islam will fight in Abu Dhabi (in UFC 291 on the 21st of October)

Fans will have to wait a couple of extra months for the Oliveira and Makhachev rematch. Will the boy who was told he can never play sports, but became Champion in one of the toughest sports in the world prevail over the cold, ruthless, efficient fighting machine that is Islam Makhachev? Or will the Dagestani dominate again? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

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