Charles Oliveira has a lot on the line this weekend.
This Saturday, Oliveira looks to reclaim the lightweight title he lost on the scale when he takes on Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 280. But there could be more up for grabs than just the UFC lightweight title, because according to UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping, a win will move Oliveira ahead of Khabib Nurmagomedov in the lightweight “Greatest Of All Time” conversation.
“Greatest lightweight of all time? I think if Charles beats Islam this weekend, I that belongs to Charles now,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “I really do. I think he will have surpassed him, simply because he’s taken out all the top contenders. And it’s not Khabib’s fault, but you cannot deny the numbers, the momentum, the history that Oliveira’s making.”
Oliveira holds or has a share of many UFC records, including finishes, submissions, and bonuses won. He’s also near the top of the organization in wins, and while some of that can be explained by his long tenure in the UFC, “Do Bronx” is also on an incredible run at the moment too, with 11 straight wins, 10 by finish, including back-to-back stoppages of two of Khabib’s former title foes, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. The one major knock on Oliveira’s resume is that he’s lost eight times, seven by finish, whereas Khabib never tasted defeat in his entire career, which Bisping acknowledges.
“Here’s the case for Khabib: his record, 29-0, 13-0 in the UFC, and he was one of the most dominant fighters that the UFC had ever seen,” Bisping said. “In 60 career rounds, this man only lost two rounds. Round one against Justin Gaethje — very, very close — and round three against Conor McGregor — again, very, very close.”
But like Oliveira, Nurmagomedov does not have an iron-clad case for lightweight GOAT status with the main argument against him being that he retired too soon. And it seems this argument weighs heavy on Bisping who ultimately says that while Nurmagomedov’s reasons for retiring were honorable, it still factors in against him.
“Listen, we never saw him lose to anyone, and he was so dominant it’s hard to imagine him losing to anyone,” Bisping said. “All we ever saw was him win and dominate people. But he retired at 32 years old, after three title defenses and two and a half years as champion of the world. That’s fantastic but if he had stuck around longer would we have seen him lose the belt? Would we have seen him get challenged? We’ll never know, and that is one of the real arguments for Khabib not being the pound-for-pound No. 1.
“The reality is, the reason we ask the question, is because he didn’t stick around long enough. And we know why, it was a very honorable reason… but would he have beaten all these top new contenders? He’d have beaten some of them, but would he have beaten Charles? We don’t know. We can only imagine.”
UFC 280 takes place this Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
TOP STORIES
Results. Alexa Grasso outboxes Viviane Araujo to earn unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 62.
Bonuses. Jonathan Martinez cashes extra $50,000 for big win over Cub Swanson.
Rivalry. Kevin Holland not interested in training with Khamzat Chimaev: ‘I don’t know what the f*** he was thinking.’
KO. Deontay Wilder returns to the win column with brutal first round knockout of Robert Helenius.
Empathy. Deontay Wilder delivers tearful speech after Robert Helenius knockout: ‘I wanted to come to his aid.’
VIDEO STEW
UFC Vegas 62 Post Show.
Jorge Masvidal on Leon Edwards, Nate Diaz.
UFC 280 Countdown.
Prelude to UFC 280.
Paddy Pimblett in Rome.
Alexander Volkanovski training to be a backup.
LISTEN UP
On To The Next One. Matches to make following UFC Vegas 62.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Uriah Hall clearing things up.
All right bottom feeders and uneducated guests..let’s clear up some things up I said there are fighters that aren’t making as much as ring card girls somehow this amazing media through everything I said out of context just for a click if you’re that stupid to not read between ♂️
— U R I A H H A L L (@UriahHallMMA) October 16, 2022
Valentina Shevchenko.
When fighter retiring from fights all they can think about is ring girls @UriahHallMMA
— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) October 16, 2022
Luciana Andrade commenting on this whole thing.
In these [almost] 8 years of working as a Ring Girl, I never once got involved in any controversies but I feel we need to address this nonense about our pay and all the hate that comes from it.
— Luciana Andrade (@LucianaAndrade) October 16, 2022
I have a lot of respect for the athletes and the MMA community, with some of my dearest memories being related to all these years on the road. UFC has given me the opportunity to work and travel to places I never thought I’d be able to visit, so I will never take it for granted.
— Luciana Andrade (@LucianaAndrade) October 16, 2022
With that said, being a ring girl is a fun side gig – not a full time job. So, naturally, all these numbers you see online are far from the truth. We’re not competing for a better pay – we’re simply doing our jobs as brand ambassadors, which is what we were hired for.
— Luciana Andrade (@LucianaAndrade) October 16, 2022
If it’s not something you would do – that is totally fine. But you do need to respect other people’s life and career choices. When some [usually with more voice and visibility] spread disinformation about our role and pay, a lot of hate and misogynistic comments come our way.
— Luciana Andrade (@LucianaAndrade) October 16, 2022
We all have a life outside of MMA – if people make money through other gigs (and they do), that’s completely separate and should not be confused with what you are fighting for. We are all hustling.
— Luciana Andrade (@LucianaAndrade) October 16, 2022
Luckily, UFC and most MMA fans are respectful and supportive of this entire community (& consider us part of it). Being called dumb, useless, #%@!$, etc, (although not cool) over the years doesn’t define us but if you’re one of those…well, I guess it’s time to grow up. No more.
— Luciana Andrade (@LucianaAndrade) October 16, 2022
Champions.
— UFC (@ufc) October 16, 2022
Jorge Masvidal responding to Leon Edwards.
I’ve never gotten on my knees and begged anyone for anything. If your lifestyle is to get on your knees for stuff that’s on you, I’m not judging. Accept the fight, get this payday, get your rematch and get your face broken at the same time. It’s a no brainer dummy #itoldyou
— BMF.eth (@GamebredFighter) October 16, 2022
Terrance McKinney.
Deontay Wilder said some real ish last night, knockouts are fun but can be devastating for the one gettin knocked out. It can happen to anyone & we have to deal with that behind closed doors while others laugh and mock it online cause it’s easy to.
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) October 16, 2022
I’ve seen people do it to Frevola in regards to me I’ve seen people do it to me in regards to Woodson. You think it’s fun and games? We laugh it off because we have to, but all of this can lead to real repercussions some can be left just a lil different while others brain dead
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) October 16, 2022
Some are dads. Some want to be dads. Some will never get to be dads because of this business. Some will never get to take care of their family. Some will have to have their family take care of them even after doin everything right.
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) October 16, 2022
@BronzeBomber we all appreciate what you had to say last night. Beautiful performance brotha ✊ great speech from the heart
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) October 16, 2022
OSP celebrating Tennessee’s big win.
How bout them Vols?! pic.twitter.com/vdl2m8o1BK
— Ovince Saint Preux (@003_OSP) October 16, 2022
Conor McGregor looking large.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 17, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A.
FINAL THOUGHTS
No matter how hard he tries, Volkanovski can’t make me interested in his lightweight aspirations. Dude, defend your belt. Or leave your division, then I’ll care. But there are too many lightweight in line, and too many featherweights you haven’t beaten.
Thanks for reading! See y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
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