Former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov insists that even though Charles Oliveira is the champion, he is not the undisputed champion until he beats Islam Makhachev.
UFC 274 was the UFC’s last big event, and what an event it was! Apart from some spectacular finishes, one of the key talking points of the card was Charles Oliveira being stripped of his title after failing to make weight. This made him the ineligible to get his title back even if he beat the challenger Justin Gaethje. But after picking up a submission win, he has cemented himself as the number one contender for the vacant Lightweight title.
Now the focus has turned to who will be fighting Oliveira for the vacant tile. One of the names that has been said repeatedly is Islam Makhachev. The Russian in on an 11-fight win streak and has called for his shot at the title. One of Makhachev’s entourage is Khabib Nurmagomedov. The former champion has been very vocal about his friend and protege’s right to get a title shot.
But many have called for a fight between Khabib and Oliveira. Oliveira has been hyped as the greatest Lightweight of all time by some people after he has beat Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. All three of them were finishes.
When asked about Charles’ legacy, Khabib said,” If Charles wins against Islam, we have to give him credit. Then he’s going to undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion. Right now, I believe he’s the champion. I believe this. People talk about the half-pound. I believe he deserved it. Right now, he deserves to be champion. He’s doing a very good job. But he’s not undisputed. When I finished, I was undisputed.”
Khabib says Charles Oliveira needs to beat Islam Makhachev to cement his legacy 🦅
Full story: https://t.co/sCoedIMOWs pic.twitter.com/mWJSiPiWaS
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) May 20, 2022
With his statement, the holder of the 29-0 record has shown respect. But at the same time squashed any comparison between him and Oliveira. If Du Bronx does beat Makhachev, it will be interesting to see if Khabib does return for one last fight.
