Islam Makhachev accuses Charles Oliveira of avoiding him when ‘do Bronx’ was lightweight champion
Islam Makhachev is set to face Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 280. While it will mark Makhachev's first title shot, Oliveira was stripped of the belt after missing weight prior to UFC 274. The No.4-ranked lightweight called out his opponent for refusing to say his name when he held the belt.
The fight you’ve all been asking for 👀
@CharlesDoBronxs vs @MakhachevMMA is set for the LW title 👑
[ #UFC280 | @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi ] https://t.co/GhqjbwZ0LM
During the press conference for UFC 280, Charles Oliveira suggested that Islam Makhachev did not want to face him in Brazil. Makhachev responded, stating:
"When they announced the fight in Brazil, I asked Dana, 'please, my team is ready, let's go, I want to make this in Brazil'. We asked about Brazil many times. If you don't know this, ask Dana... Fourth day when you asked for Brazil, I put the pictures in Instagram, 'let's go I want to do this in Brazil'."
Makachev continued by suggesting that it was Oliveira who did not want to take the fight:
"You tried to avoid this fight for how many months? You don't say my name. I've never heard you say my name. Conor, Nate Diaz, someone, but never, you never say Islam."
Makhachev would go on to claim that the UFC forced Oliveira to face him for the lightweight belt.
Watch Islam Makhachev claim that Charles Oliveira avoided him below (starting at the 18:05 mark):
Charles Oliveira suggests Islam Makhachev receiving title shot because of Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov is widely recognized as the greatest lightweight of all time. When the undefeated UFC Hall of Famer retired and vacated the lightweight title, Charles Oliveira took control of the division. Oliveira recently suggested that his UFC 280 opponent is only receiving a title shot because of his relationship with Nurmagomedov.
During the media day for UFC 280, Oliveira stated:
"I think Islam deserves all the respect in the world, but I think he should have fought somebody in the top five like I did, not just surf on someone else's wave, and skip the line like he did... This fight is only happening because of [Khabib]."
Oliveira isn't the first to suggest that Makhachev's relationship with Nurmagomedov has gotten him preferential treatment. Regardless of whether there's any truth to the claim, Makhachev's talent is undeniable.
Despite not facing any of the top five lightweights, Makhachev has won ten straight fights since his only career loss over seven years ago. Oliveira has not lost in nearly five years, winning his last eleven fights.
Watch Charles Oliveira discuss how Khabib Nurmagomedov factored into Islam Makhachev's title chances below (starting at the 2:22 mark):