Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed his ideas if Islam Makhachev faces light-weight no.1 Charles Oliveira
Khabib Nurmagomedov says his buddy and coaching accomplice Islam Makhachev is destined for the very high, and predicts that the Russian fighter would dethrone the now-former UFC champion Charles Oliveira inside three rounds if and once they meet within the Octagon.
Oliveira enhanced his already stellar status final weekend in Phoenix at UFC 274 when he submitted two-time title challenger (and former Nurmagomedov sufferer) Justin Gaethje within the first spherical of their primary occasion struggle.
Nevertheless, regardless of what’s now an 11-fight win streak within the UFC’s talent-rich light-weight division, Oliveira was stripped of his world title on the eve of the struggle after coming in a half-pound over the light-weight championship requirement on the weigh-in.
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UFC officers confirmed afterwards that Oliveira is taken into account to be the highest contender at light-weight and can tackle one other fighter but to be confirmed for the vacant world title at a later date.
However regardless of Oliveira’s latest streak which has seen him defeat Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson (amongst a number of others), Khabib says that if he runs into Makhachev in his subsequent struggle, there will be just one winner.
“My prediction is a most three rounds, regardless of how good he’s, Islam is best than him,” Nurmagomedov wrote on his Instagram web page.
“Simply bear in mind these phrases.”
Makhachev has been heralded because the true successor to Khabib within the UFC light-weight division after the undefeated star determined to retire from energetic competitors final 12 months.
He has gained ten straight fights at 155lbs, only one shy of Oliveira’s present scorching streak and was as a result of face high contender Beneil Dariush in February earlier than Dariush suffered an damage in coaching the week earlier than the bout.
@danawhite you haven’t any different selection however make Oliveira vs Islam struggle in AbuDhabi 22 October. Good date, Good location,Good opponents with excellent profitable streaks 10 vs 11.@MAKHACHEVMMA@ufc
Nevertheless, it has been urged that Makhachev has fallen out of favor with UFC boss Dana White for refusing a brief discover bout with Rafael Dos Anjos after his Dariush struggle was cancelled.
Makhachev has clearly been positioning himself for a world title shot on-line, and has slammed Oliveira for speaking up potential massive cash fights with the likes of Conor McGregor or Nate Diaz.
“It is humorous you are calling out Nate Diaz who hasn’t gained a struggle in 5 years and on the identical time saying I’ve to earn one thing. Simply say it, you are scared to lose. Your jiu jitsu will not work in our struggle and you realize that,” Makhachev wrote online.
Oliveira, in the meantime, is conserving his choices open.
“I feel the truth is, Makhachev has to struggle Dariush first,” he mentioned to Trocacao Franca.
“They each should struggle after which we’ll see who we’re preventing or not. Makhachev is tremendous powerful and deserves all of the respect on this planet. Dariush can also be tremendous powerful and has an ideal workforce.
“Everybody I beat, I’ve made it fairly clear. I by no means let it go the gap, I at all times end them. Makhachev and Dariush are the 2 guys I haven’t fought but and so they each should make this struggle occur. Possibly [the next contender] comes from this struggle. The factor is, it makes no distinction to me. I’ll be prepared. The champion’s identify is Charles Oliveira.”
