Categories: MMA

Morning Report: Khabib Nurmagomedov says Islam Makhachev ‘should roll over’ Charles Oliveira at UFC 280

Khabib Nurmagomedov has every confidence that Islam Makhachev is going to beat Charles Oliveira.

Next weekend, Makhachev faces Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 280, in one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year. The bout is a long time coming for Makhachev, who many tabbed as the next lightweight champion when Nurmagomedov retired in 2020. And when Makhachev steps into the cage next weekend, Nurmagomedov expects him to dominate.

“I think Islam is more skilled than Oliveira,” Nurmagomedov said in an interview with UFC Russia (h/t MMA Junkie). “Secondly, his experience as an amateur fighter. Also, he’s at his peak. Islam is at his peak. Islam isn’t 23, 26 or 27. He’s 30. A week after the fight, he’ll be 31. It’s the best time for any athlete. It’s a time when your mental and physical state should be in synergy. Sometimes your mental state is high, but your physical state is going down.

“Or when you’re 27 and at your physical peak, but mentally you’re not there yet, because you’re just 27, not 31. And Islam is at his peak. I think Islam is better overall. Of course, there are some potential dangers that we’re working on where Islam needs to be careful. Other than that, Islam should roll over him.”

Nurmagomedov is not the only one who thinks Makhachev will get his hand raised at UFC 280, with sports books installing Makhachev as a -180 favorite, implying a 64.3 percent win probability. But even though Khabib believes Makhachev should have little trouble with Oliveira, that doesn’t mean they are looking past the former champion. When asked what comes next for Makhachev once he’s won the title, Khabib was quick to rebuff the idea of overlooking “Do Bronx.”

“Islam will be fighting the No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter for the UFC title,” Nurmagomedov said. “That’s his life goal. Only a dumb person can think about what’s next. Islam has a target, a date, an opponent, a location… there’s no reason to get distracted.”

UFC 280 takes place Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.


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VIDEO STEW

The MMA Hour.

The entirety of Pride 1.

Top Pride moments.

Prelude to UFC 280.

All of Chael Sonnen’s Bellator fights.


LISTEN UP

No Bets Barred. Breaking down the best bets for UFC Vegas 62.


SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Charles Oliveira.

Drew Dober.

Mike Beltran made it home.

Belal Muhammad.

Danny Sabatello.

Chael and Tito.

Friendship.


FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Aspen Ladd (9-3) vs. Julia Budd (16-4); PFL Championship, Nov. 25.

Jan Blachowicz (29-9) vs. Magomed Ankalaev (18-1); UFC 282, Dec. 10.


FINAL THOUGHTS

I’m with Khabib. I think Islam rolls over Charles. But I’ve also thought that about Charles last two fights, and I was extremely not correct. Eight days to go.

Thanks for reading! See y’all tomorrow.


EXIT POLL


If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.

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