UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev demanded to face Charles Oliveira as the UFC title is in October currently vacant. Makhachev is confident enough that he will beat the Brazilian at his own game of submission grappling.
Charles Oliveira vacated his UFC Lightweight title under force following his submission win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 274 for coming in a half-pound heavy. “Do Bronx” found some comfort in knowing his next fight will be for the strap.
Meanwhile it still remains a mystery, against who; however, the consensus is that Islam Makhachev will get the nod. In Makhachev’s opinion, definitely without any surprise he gets the chance to fight for the title based on his tremendous performances so far inside the Octagon.
“We don’t have a champion,” “Charles is a contender. That’s why it’s going to be for the title. I deserve it. I have a 10-fight win streak. [Oliveira] said I don’t deserve this, but he’s asking about Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor,” Makhachev’s remarks came slamming Oliveira for failing to hit the 155-pound mark on the dot, which is a must for championship fights.
“I think Charles is a No. 1 contender now. We don’t have a champion because he don’t make weight. He is not a professional.”
“The UFC said we have to find some contender, but this is not a contender match. We don’t have a champion, Makhachev told. “Charles is a contender, too. I hope I deserve it because I have a 10-fight win streak, and I’m ready. This is my time now.”
“Who’s gonna fight with Oliveira now? We don’t have nobody. Who? Gaethje, Tony, or Poirier? Chandler? Who next for Oliveira?”
“If Charles says I’m not ready or something, or he says Islam doesn’t deserve, but he asked to fight Nate Diaz or Conor,” Makhachev said. “I want to ask him, ‘Hey, these guys deserve (it) who you call all the time?’ I don’t know. …
“They have to make me vs. Charles, 10-win streak vs. 11-win streak. It’s a very big fight”
However, there is still a hope from the fans that Khabib Nurmagomedov returns to fight, who has been unstoppable for the last four years, with a wining streak of 11.
In Makhachev’s opinion it’s a fight “The Eagle” wins with ease.
“This is like an easy fight for Khabib,” he said. “Khabib have the most dominant grappling from top. He’s going to take him down, hold him there. Very easy. I honestly think this is a very easy fight for Khabib. Stylistically, all of Oliveira’s pressure is not going to work against Khabib because Khabib pressures all of his opponents,”
Makhachevh also added that his mentor will never get the chance because he can take care of the business himself.
“We don’t have to say Khabib is going to beat Charles. I’m going to beat Charles. And everybody is going to understand. Honestly, I believe I can finish this guy, and I really want to finish him in the grappling, in his area. I know I can do this.”
