Former Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has urged UFC President Dana White to make the Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev matchup to determine the champion.
Charles “Du Bronx” Oliveira is at the top of the lightweight division. Despite having to relinquish his belt due to missing weight, he is still at the top of the food chain after beating Justin Gathje in UFC 274. In order to regain the belt that he hasn’t lost, Oliveira will have to beat his next opponent.
Whilst many names have come up as potential opponents, one name that is in the mouth of the majority of fight fans is Islam Makhachev. Currently ranked number 3 in the world, Makhachev is on a ten-fight win streak. While there are doubts about him as he is yet to beat someone in the top 5, his performances have caught everyone’s attention. Makhachev is also a member of Team Khabib. Many consider him to be the heir to Khabib in the division. The Dagestan native has done little to put him far from these comparisons. His dominating performances have reminded everyone of the “The Eagle”.
Khabib, who retired with a record of 29-0, has urged Dana White to line up Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev for the undisputed championship. Oliveira himself is on an 11-fight win streak. As per Khabib, this is the perfect matchup.
@danawhite you have no other choice but make Oliveira vs Islam fight in AbuDhabi 22 October.
Perfect date, Perfect location,Perfect opponents with perfect winning streaks 10 vs 11.@MAKHACHEVMMA @ufc— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) May 8, 2022
Without a shadow of a doubt, this will be an intense match. But Makhachev was due to fight Beneil Dariush before Dariush pulled out with an injury. Dariush is currently number 4 and he himself is on the hot form. So he also has a decent shout for the title match. It will be very interesting to see in which direction the UFC moves. The lightweight division just got a whole lot more intense!
