Reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev shared his expectations for the upcoming rematch against Charles Oliveira and also answered the question of whether he is thinking about ending his professional career.
“Of course, I want some new names, new opponents, because I already have him on my list – fought the same guy twice, it’s not the same anymore,” the 31-year-old Russian said in an interview with UFC Eurasia. “If there was some other name, it would be more interesting, but he passed Dariush very confidently, and he’s already beaten the others. I think Oliveira deserves a rematch.”
“I like my belt and I don’t want to lose it. Maybe someone thinks I’m training less – no, I’m training even more. Because I know – Oliveira will change something, add something, so I have to be ready everywhere. He has nothing to lose at the moment – maybe he will take more risks, but I will be ready”
According to Makhachev, he is not yet at his peak, so the question of ending his professional career is not being considered at the moment.
“I took tests yesterday on my general physical condition, and from year to year the indicators are only growing. This time I did a lot better than even my coach expected, so I’m not standing still, I’m not going backwards, the numbers are only going up, and I’m not thinking about ending my career yet.”
As a reminder, the lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira will headline UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi on October 21.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/32731-islam-makhachev-otsenil-veroyatnost-zaversheniya-karery.html?rand=19907
