With a lightweight title opportunity on the line, former champion Charles Oliveira returned to the Octagon ready to make a statement at the promotion’s landmark event, UFC 300, on Saturday night.
‘Do Bronx’ has been out of action since securing a first-round knockout against Beneil Dariush over the summer. Originally, Oliveira was scheduled to challenge reigning 155-pound champ Islam Makhachev at UFC 294, but an injury sustained while training forced him to bow out of the bout.
To re-establish himself as the division’s top contender, he’d have to go through streaking standout Arman Tsarukyan, who is chomping at the bit to earn his own rematch with the ‘Dagestani Destroyer.’
Round 1
Both fighters come out targeting the lead leg. Oliveira uncorks a low kick that takes Tsarukyan off his feet. Oliveira jumps on his opponent, snatching the neck and jumping guillotine. The choke is tight, but Tsarukyan fights his way out. Oliveira immediately moves into mount. ‘Do Bronx’ drops a big elbow and positions himself to maintain top control. Tsarukyan powers out, revering the position and getting into Oliveira’s guard.
Tsarukyan drops an elbow as Oliveira attempts to stay offensive from the bottom. Attempting to create space, Oliveira throws a push kick that connects with Tsarukyan’s face. With it being an illegal kick, the bout is paused as Tsarukyan is checked out by the cageside physician. Tsarukyan is good to go and the fight resumes in the same position.
Oliveira scrambles and works his way back up with only seconds left on the clock. ‘Do Bronx’ connects with a knee to the body against the fence just before the horn sounds.
Round 2
Coming out for the second round, Oliveira and Tsarukyan are content to keep things standing with Tsarukyan landing a nice jab followed by a combination that lands. Tsarukyan partially connects with an axe kick. Tsarukyan changes levels, shooting in near the fence. Oliveira scrambles and gets back to his feet after being briefly taken down. Oliveira keeps his back to the fence, but having his arm around Tsarukyan’s neck allows Tsarukyan to complete the takedown, securing himself in Oliveira’s guard once again.
Oliveira throws a couple of slicing elbows from his back, but it’s all Tsarukyan as the Armenian drops his own series of elbows that cut Oliveira above the right eye. The round ends with Tsarukyan launching a flurry of ground and pound strikes as ‘Do Bronx’ attempts to scramble out of danger.
Round 3
Tsarukyan and Oliveira stand and trade through the first 40 seconds of the round. Tsarukyan clinches up and backs Oliveira to the fence, eating a knee to the body before separating and returning to the center of the Octagon. Tsarukyan shoots for a double leg, but Oliveira defends. Tsarukyan pumps the jab. Oliveira responds with a nice kick to the body. Tsarukyan shoots again. This time, he completes the takedown up against the fence and passes into side control.
Tsarukyan takes Oliveira’s back but struggles to get the hooks in. Oliviera against scrambles and gets top control, looking for a darce choke. Oliveira appears to have it locked in with less than 30 seconds to go. Tsarukyan gives the thumbs-up and the referee allows the clock to run out, taking us to the scorecards.
Official Result: Arman Tsarukyan def. Charles Oliveira via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Check Out Highlights From Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300:
Charles Oliveira is giving Tsarukyan all he can handle
VERY CLOSE FIGHT#UFC300 pic.twitter.com/fRP1HIAkqc
— Degenerate George (@DGen_Media) April 14, 2024
CHARLES DO BRONX OLIVEIRA #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/3HfVj4drtK
— MMA 🦈 (@mmaSharke19) April 14, 2024
Charles Oliveira ALMOST had the comeback of the century#UFC300 pic.twitter.com/qrHvdX8gtZ
— Degenerate George (@DGen_Media) April 14, 2024
Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan both celebrate after a wild #UFC300 fight.
Who is getting this decision?! pic.twitter.com/aJsJwkklAc
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 14, 2024
Arman Tsarukyan defeats Charles Oliveira via split decision 🔥
Thoughts on the decision? #UFC300
— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) April 14, 2024
