Charles Oliveira is fighting Michael Chandler at UFC 309, but what about Islam Makhachev? If he wins against Chandler, does he want to fight the Chechen? This question is eating a lot of UFC fans’ minds, and UFC Insider has an answer for everyone. ‘American Gangster’ was pretty surprised about the UFC 309 co-main in his recent YouTube video and disclosed some nuances that we might be missing. He first spoke about how this fight is underpromoted and between a former champion and a former title contender. Chael Sonnen also said that he already knew what Oliveira wanted and was saying the same to every other veteran.

Sonnen reiterated, “On behalf of Charles, I pled, don’t give him that fight. I then pled with the organization to have a backup plan, but he did not come. I know something you don’t know. He is not coming; he didn’t come. I was on ESPN, and you should’ve seen John Anik; he whips over to me, and he couldn’t believe I said it. ‘ We are building this fight, Hey Chael. What do you think of that?’ He tosses to me.” So who is Sonnen talking about when he says ‘he is not coming.’?

It is none other than ‘Do Bronx’ not coming for a fight against Islam Makhachev. In July 2023, Oliveira told TSN that he was not ready to fight Makhachev at UFC 294 and he hoped to face Makhachev later in the year. On top of that, Oliveira’s coach said that he had lined up for the second fight with Makhachev begrudgingly.

So Sonnen already knew this, and he again repeated the same in this video. He said, “What do I think of that? I think it’s not gonna happen. Charles Oliveira said three different times he’s not fighting him. Well, I ruined the whole spot, except I was right.” Sonnen has always been sure that Oliveira does not want to fight Makhachev and explained why.

Chael Sonnen gives the reason why ‘Do Bronx’ will not fight Islam Makhachev

In a previous video, he claimed that Arman Tsarukyan vs. Charles Oliveira wouldn’t take place. He questioned even then why Oliveira would want to take a fight to go up against Islam Makhachev, stating, “How does Charles find motivation and number one contenders matches when it draws him to the only thing he doesn’t want?”

The ex-UFC fighter claimed that Oliveira was the second-best fighter in the division, but he was scared to face Makhachev. He stated, “He doesn’t want to fight Islam to the degree that he has refused to fight Islam… His coach came out and told the world that he was offered Islam, and he said no; that was the very first Volkanovski fight.”

So if Oliveira wins, then will he call the shots for the next opponent and avoid Makhachev again? Share your thoughts in the comments below.