“If psychologically Oliveira is the same guy that fought me that fought Michael Chandler, I think he can win this fight,” MMA Junkie quoted the American as saying. “I don’t think he wanted to fight in the first fight. It was like he didn’t want to be there and gave up beforehand.”
“That’s my opinion, but I know he has the skills to beat the best guys in the world and he’s done it time and time again. If Charles goes into the octagon with the right mindset, I think he can beat Makhachev.”
The lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira was scheduled to headline UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi on October 21, but 12 days before the event, the Brazilian suffered a dissection and withdrew from the bout, giving up his title shot to Alexander Volkanovski, who the Russian knocked out in the first round.
According to UFC chief Dana White, a rematch between Makhachev and Oliveira could take place next summer.