Charles Oliveira defeat hope Khabib NurmagomedovHis protégé can lure him out of retirement.
Islam Makhachevi has been biting to fight ex-UFC lightweight champion Oliveira for the vacant title and although the Brazilian was not on board, he is now open to the idea after hearing Nurmagomedov say that Makhachev would take the fight in Brazil and subdue him in front of his own fans .
Oliveira (33-8 MMA, 21-8 UFC), who was stripped of his title after missing weight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274, has been Looking For Money Fight With Former UFC Doubles Champion Conor McGregor but is willing to put that wish aside if Makhachev (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) fights him on his terms.
“If they really want it, they have to go after the champion,” said Oliveira Ag. fight† “I chased the champion, didn’t I? Then I became champion. I want to fight in December. Do you really want this? So let’s do something fun. Now I’m talking to you. Let’s fight in Brazil in January? Isn’t that what you really want? So sell more. But look at this, Khabib, you’ve already tried three premonitions about me and you’ve missed all three.
“Look, I won’t say I’m going to submit or knock him out, but I’ll beat him. Listen to this: I will defeat Islam Makhachev. The division’s problem is called Charles Oliveira. That’s the division’s problem. It doesn’t matter what they say. If they really want it, I want it too.
“Look, forget about Conor McGregor now. Forget it. In Brazil, Charles Oliveira against Islam Makhachev. Is this the fight you want? So we’ll have it. Charles Oliveira against Islam Makhachev in Brazil.”
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After Nurmagomedov retired, Oliveira captured the vacant lightweight title with a knockout of Michael Chandler† He followed that up with back-to-back entries from former interim champions Dustin Poirier and Gaethje and would be ready to continue his tear by putting Makhachev on his peak as well.
Nurmagomedov has been campaign for Makhachev to have his chance, and Oliveira wouldn’t mind silencing them both.
“I will beat him (Makhachev). So who knows, maybe you (Nurmagomedov) will retire and come too?” said Oliveira. “Everyone says what they want. I’m the division’s problem. I have one of the best jiu-jitsu (games) in the division and in the UFC. I think these guys talk too much. They want to get into my mind, but they can’t.”
He continued: “(Khabib) was champion, 29 wins in a row, and never said anything. He always sold the fight in a good way, really damn good, and today he always talks a lot, and when it comes to talking, I say it: I will beat Islam Makhachev and then challenge Khabib to come back from retirement. It’s the fight everyone wants to see. Isn’t that what everyone wants to see? Everyone says Khabib is damn tough. I have a lot of respect for him, but lately he’s been talking too much.”