UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling has expressed his desire to see a matchup between Charles Oliveira and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The lead-up to UFC 274 was marred by Charles Oliveira being stripped of his belt after failing to make weight. He went into his match against Justin Gaethje knowing that a victory here would not let him regain his title. Oliveira came in half a pound heavier than the limit of 155 lbs. As per UFC rules, Oliveira was stripped of the title and was ineligible to win it back even if he beat his opponent. Justin Gaethje, his opponent, was eligible to win the vacant belt if he had beaten Oliveira.
But that did not matter as “Du Bronx” made quick work of Gaethje and has now become the number one contender for the lightweight title. There have been plenty of speculations as to who the worthy opponent would be for the Brazilian native. Fellow champion Aljamain Sterling has gone a step further and expressed his desire to see a matchup between Oliveira and the retired Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Oliveira vs Khabib. Just saying! #UFC274
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 8, 2022
Khabib hung up his boots following a flawless record of 29-0. His last opponent, too, was Justin Gaethje. He, too, won with a submission. With so many similarities, it would be a very intriguing fight between these two. It is fair to say that the result of this match would surely decide who the greatest lightweight of all time is.
Khabib has always reiterated that he does not want to return to fighting. He currently owns his own promotion- Eagle Fighting Championship. But you never know if Khabib just might change his mind and make a return.
Khabib, though, has been very vocal about his protege Islam Makhachev getting a title shot with the latter on a ten-fight winning streak himself.
