Islam Makhachev's dominant win over Charles Oliveira revisited by Michael Bisping
Michael Bisping revisited Islam Makhachev's dominant victory over Charles Oliveira. Makhachev defeated former UFC lightweight champion Oliveira via second-round submission to capture the vacant UFC lightweight title at UFC 280 on October 22nd.
In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Bisping recalled that he'd previously claimed that Oliveira could solidify himself as the greatest lightweight ever, provided he beat Makhachev.
The MMA legend acknowledged that Oliveira was on an epic 11-fight win streak heading into UFC 280 -- having beaten elite lightweights such as Tony Ferguson, Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. Bisping suggested that it was, therefore, tough to underestimate Oliveira. Nevertheless, 'The Count' highlighted that Makhachev proved that he too mustn't be underestimated.
HE SAID HE WOULD DO IT AND HE DID IT! 🤯
Islam Makhachev submits the greatest finisher in UFC history 🙌
@makhachevmma and @teamkhabib bring the belt home to Dagestan! 🏆
#UFC280 | BT Sport Box Office https://t.co/ePPDsdVvKm
Michael Bisping opined that the Dagestani fighter "beat Charles Oliveira at his own game." Moreover, he emphasized that Makhachev would likely continue his dominance and could reign as the lightweight champion for the next few years:
"Right from the get-go, Charles went forward. He was very aggressive; tried to take him [Makhachev] down with the body-lock takedown. That presented a hip-throw for Islam Makhachev. Charles managed to get back to his feet. There was a little bit of throwing down with punches. Charles got dropped. Islam got caught. Charles got dropped again, and round and round they went."
He continued:
"In the second round, Islam knocked him down again, followed him down there in half-guard. He was locking up a head and arm choke. And then once he finally got the legs free and passed the half-guard to side control, and he had the head and arm choke locked in, Charles Oliveira tapped straight away. Islam Makhachev went out there against Charles Oliveira, and he made it look easy."
Watch Bisping discuss the topic at 5:45 in the video below:
Alexander Volkanovski warns Islam Makhachev ahead of potential UFC super-fight
It's believed that reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev could defend his title against the UFC's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski next. Taking to his YouTube channel, 'Volk' addressed the matchup and responded to Makhachev labeling him a "short guy."
Ahead of their possible fight at UFC 284 on February 12th, 2023, Alexander Volkanovski claimed that Islam Makhachev won't be able to effectively utilize his fearsome grappling skills. Warning the wrestling savant against underestimating him, Volkanovski said:
"He's going to be frustrated, uncomfortable in there. Especially when things don't go to plan, especially when he realizes this short guy isn't as easy to hold down as he thought. If there's any man to do this [beat Makhachev], it's me."
Watch Volkanovski's assessment below: