Michael Bisping lauds Islam Makhachev for perfect execution of submission against Charles Oliveira, shuts down notion that it was lucky
Michael Bisping has praised Islam Makhachev for his spectacular submission victory against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 on October 22nd. 'The Count' also shut down the notion that Makhachev's win over Oliveira was simply a stroke of luck.
Additionally, Bisping alluded to the fact that heading into UFC 280, he'd predicted that Oliveira would likely beat Makhachev. Taking to his YouTube channel, the UFC Hall of Famer had explained that the fight would witness Makhachev stopping Oliveira early or 'Do Bronx' securing a late finish after out-striking the Dagestani fighter.
Furthermore, in another video on his YouTube channel, he claimed that a win over Makhachev would help catapult Oliveira above UFC lightweight legend Khabib Nurmagomedov and become the greatest lightweight of all time (G.L.O.A.T.). 'The Count' stated:
"The greatest lightweight of all time (G.L.O.A.T.), though? I think if Charles [Oliveira] beats Islam [Makhachev] this weekend, I think that belongs to Charles."
Watch Bisping's assertion at 5:50 in the video below:
Michael Bisping's prediction proved wrong, as Islam Makhachev dominantly defeated Charles Oliveira via second-round submission (arm-triangle choke) and captured the UFC lightweight title at UFC 280.
A Twitter user subsequently jibed at Bisping with a meme and suggested that he'd probably backtrack on his G.L.O.A.T. opinion regarding Oliveira after his prediction was proven wrong. Not one to be outdone, Bisping refused to do so and instead gave props to Makhachev. The UFC commentator tweeted:
"Haha nah man. Islam was fantastic. I get picks wrong. Everyone does. The better man won and that’s all that matters."
Haha nah man. Islam was fantastic. I get picks wrong. Everyone does. The better man won and that’s all that matters. twitter.com/one_man_army00…
Meanwhile, another Twitter user asked Bisping whether Oliveira made "a silly mistake to get caught in the arm triangle." Bisping responded by crediting Makhachev for perfectly executing the submission rather than passing it off as a lucky move. 'The Count' noted:
"No, gotta give Islam the credit. Executed perfectly."
No, gotta give Islam the credit. Executed perfectly. Typically don’t do ppv’s mate. I’m back in action this weekend though for Kattar vs Allen. Can’t wait, feels like a lifetime ago. twitter.com/yenahski/statu…
Islam Makhachev sets his sights on becoming the UFC's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter
In the aftermath of Islam Makhachev's incredible win over former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, both Makhachev and his friend/mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov turned their attention to Alexander Volkanovski. Reigning UFC featherweight champion Volkanovski currently happens to be the UFC's No. 1-ranked pound-for-pound fighter.
Khabib Nurmagomedov called for a super-fight between UFC lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev and UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. The lightweight title and 'Volk's' No. 1 pound-for-pound ranking would be on the line. Volkanovski accepted the challenge instantly, and it's believed that their fight could transpire at UFC 284 on February 12th, 2023.
During the UFC 280 post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White acknowledged that the Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski super-fight makes sense and could be booked by the UFC next. Nevertheless, the fight's yet to be officially confirmed.
youtu.be/nKMrv6Kj8jUDana White: "Obviously, looks like [Alex] Volkanovski's next" for Islam Makhachev 👀
Full #UFC280 post-fight scrum ▶️ youtu.be/nKMrv6Kj8jU https://t.co/GEUnH3uSef