Charles Oliveira faces Islam Makhachev in an attempt to regain his UFC lightweight belt. However, he doesn’t believe the Russian is worthy of the title due to his impressive in-cage performances.
“Do Bronx” said during the UFC 280 media day, which took place Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, that Makhachev was given a shot at the 155-pound championship thanks to his longtime friend and AKA teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov, who ruled the division before retiring undefeated.
“I think Islam deserves all the respect in the world,” Oliveira said. But I believe he should have fought someone maybe in the top -5, like I did. Not just ride on another’s wave and ski the line as he did .”
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Asked if Nurmagomedov is the one creating the “wave” for Makhachev to “surf”, Oliveira said “this fight is only happening because of him.” The former UFC champion will be in Makhachev’s corner Saturday.
“It’s for the history and everything he’s done,” Oliveira said of Nurmagomedov’s role in this matchmaking. “If it was any other guy, [Makhachev] would have to walk the walk that I had to walk, knocking on people’s doors, trying to get to a top-5. The reason why this fight is happening is because of him, that’s the real.”
Makhachev won 10 straight inside the octagon since 2015, with his biggest wins coming against Dan Hooker, Thiago Moises, Gleison Tibau and Arman Tsarukyan. Makhachev was booked to face the likes of Rafael dos Anjos and Beneil Dariush in multiple occasions, but the fights fell through. In his most recent bout, the 31-year-old finished short-notice replacement Bobby Green in the first round.
Makhachev stated that he intends to dominate and finish Oliveira at UFC 280,, and the Brazilian is open for him to do so.
” I’m available,” he stated. “I think anyone needs to believe and want whatever is best for them. If we go down to the ground, he’s facing the biggest finisher in the history of the UFC. We’ll stand for him if he doesn’t want to. One more shock will I bring to the world.
“I think they’re just talking a lot of crap and whenever we close that gate and we’re inside the octagon they get to see who’s the real champion. Charles Oliveira is the lightweight champion. This division .”
has me as the problem.
