“I have come a long way to get to the belt,” the Brazilian told AgFight. “Today I am from him in one duel. The UFC knows what I want. I’m not here for the games, I’m here to make history and I want to fight in March or April, that’s the right time for me. And I need an opponent on a winning streak to be the undisputed next contender for the title.”
Oliveira believes that Makhachev can defend the title against Alexander Volkanovski, and plans to fight the Russian at the end of this year.
“Islam will fight in February, and I will fight in March-April with a guy who will take me to a title fight by the end of the year. I’m sure I only need one win. I will fight in March-April, and again for the title at the end of the year.
Last October at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, Islam Makhachev won the vacant UFC lightweight championship belt by finishing Charles Oliveira with a hand triangle choke in the second round, and on February 11 at UFC 284 in Perth, the Russian fighter will defend his title against Australian Alexander Volkanovski.