Charles Oliveira ran into Justin Gaethje backstage after his UFC 269 win
Charles Oliveira has not earned much respect from his 155-year-old teammates since winning the UFC lightweight championship at UFC 262 in May 2021.
When asked repeatedly over the past month who he expects to win at UFC 269 between Oliveira and Dustin Poirier, former champ Khabib Nurmagomedov pointed to Poirier, going as far as to say self-label Team Diamond. In the circle on the deck, Justin Gaethje also chose Dustin and labeled Charles a ‘quitner’.
But that all changed after Oliveira overcame some adversity in the first round to dominate Poirier in the second and finish him off in the third. (see highlights here). Khabib sent this message:
Congratulations Champ, you deserve this
– khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 12, 2021
And Gaethje? During his meeting backstage with the newly released Oliveira from the cage, Justin had nothing but kind things to say about the champion.
“That is the great man of the king,” Gaethje told Oliveira. “That is absolutely beautiful. Nothing but respect, honestly. You deserved it.”
Gaethje expanded his feelings in the post-UFC showdown.
“I wouldn’t disrespect Charles,” he said. “He is now the undisputed champion and I can’t wait to play him. I don’t care where or when… I met a rival tonight. I’ve seen a dog and I can’t wait to see it. He was beaten a lot. He’d better pray and hope in the days that follow until our fight he’s taken me down, leaving him suffocated. Because if not, we’ll see what happens.”
For her part, Oliveira seems completely unconcerned with anyone’s opinion.
“I don’t care what people think, I don’t care what they say,” he said at UFC 269 post-fight press conference. “Look what they said about me. They said I couldn’t take a beating. Look at what I did. They said I gave up. Look what I did. So I will continue to do what I do. “
“Listen, I don’t care,” Oliveira continued. “I come here and I do it. I’m not on the internet, I’m not on Twitter, I’m not on Facebook trying to show people what’s going on. I’m here, I’m the champion, I have this belt, I’ll keep defending it, I don’t care what people say. I will do me. ”
It’s a good thing Oliveira doesn’t care as this won’t be the end of trash talk headed his way. It even came from people he beat, like Michael Chandler. “Iron Mike” dreamed of a world where Gaethje defeated Oliveira, he defeated Oliveira, and then he defeated Gaethje.
The way I see it…the whole world wants to see me rematch 2 of the 3 matches I’ve had in @UFC … that’s how you walk in and make a statement. I will never QUIT. Congratulations Oliveira … grab your ticket with Gaethje this summer and see you at the end of 2022 # UFC269
– Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) December 12, 2021
Ok, imagine, it’s June 2022. I lost to the former champion after beating him 10-8 in the first round, the ROTY candidate. And the new champion the world wants to see me back in my FOTY with. Less than 1.5 years after work #ufc launch. Ooooh…it’s good to be me. # ufc269
– Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) December 12, 2021
I just don’t feel it. Yes, I lost, I get it, but tell me you can’t see the difference between the so-called “elite” and those built differently. I’ve been there to inflict tremendous physical harm on someone since the jump. Others are there to “play mother.” # UFC269
– Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) December 12, 2021
Hey, we can’t even get mad about it. We’re watching this gang of light killers fight each other over and over again non-stop. But a lesson to learn from UFC 269? You better respect Charles Oliveira’s name, unless you like looking stupid.
https://www.mmamania.com/2021/12/12/22830940/next-charles-oliveira-runs-into-justin-gaethje-backstage-after-ufc-269-win Charles Oliveira ran into Justin Gaethje backstage after his UFC 269 win
