Charles Oliveira blasts back at Justin Gaethje over ‘quitter’ jibe and says UFC star ‘died’ against Khabib

THE war of words between Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje went up another notch after the Brazilian hit back at recent jibes.

Fan-favourite Gaethje branded his rival a ‘quitter’ and said he expects Dustin Poirier to beat him easily when the pair meet in December.

GettyCharles Oliveira is set to face Dustin Poirier in December[/caption]

GettyJustin Gaethje’s last outing ended in defeat by Khabib[/caption]

But Oliveira was having none of it as he claimed The Highlight ‘died’ on his most recent visit to the Octagon.

Gaethje’s last outing in October 2020 ended in defeat by the great Khabib Nurmagomedov and he next faces Michael Chandler after over a year out.

Oliveira told Portuguese-language podcast Trocacao Franca: “He (Chandler) landed a good hand, had the opportunity to knock me out and win the fight but couldn’t.

“I went there and knocked him out. Justin Gaethje had the opportunity to fight for the belt against Khabib and you all saw what happened.

“The ugliest fight I’ve ever seen in my life, he died, so I don’t have anything to say.

“You know when a guy needs to talk to be in the spotlight? To me, that’s what’s going on here. He needs to talk to be in the spotlight.”

Oliveira scored a second-round knock-out against Chandler when the pair met back in May.

Gaethje steps back into the cage against his fellow American at next month’s UFC 268 for the first time since his loss by submission to Khabib a year ago.

And then 32-year-old Oliveira meets Poirier at UFC 269 on December 11 for the lightweight championship.

Providing both men come through those bouts, a blockbuster meeting between the pair is likely to be on the cards for early next year.