"This fight is only happening because of him" - Charles Oliveira feels Islam Makhachev skipped the line and surfed on Khabib Nurmagomedov's wave to get to a title shotÂ
Charles Oliveira is set to take on Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 280. The bout will take place in Abu Dhabi and is one of the most anticipated matchups in lightweight history.
Both men will enter the octagon full of confidence, as Makhachev has a 10-fight win streak and 'do Bronx' has won 11 in a row. However, Oliveira believes that the 10 fighters that Makhachev has faced pale in comparison to the opponents that he has had to overcome.
The Brazilian thinks that the only reason the Dagestani is currently fighting for the title is because of his well-documented relationship with Khabib Nurmagomedov. While speaking at the UFC 280 media day, 'do Bronx' said:
"I think Islam [Makhachev] 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."
When asked to clarify if he was referring to Makhachev benefitting from his close association with Nurmagomedov, 'do Bronx' said the following:
"For sure. This fight is only happening because of him [Khabib Nurmagomedov]."
Watch the video below from 2:10:
With a victory at UFC 280, Charles Oliveira will have beaten all the top-five ranked UFC lightweights in the world within 18 months. It would be a remarkable achievement for 'do Bronx' and would certainly put him in the 'GOAT' conversation.
Charles Oliveira claims he will knock Islam Makhachev out in Round 1
Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev will headline the most stacked card of the year when the pair face off this weekend in Abu Dhabi.
The fight will take place for the vacant lightweight title, and fight fans across the world are split on their predictions. The bout is being viewed as the sambo wrestling of Dagestan versus the Brazilian jiu-jitsu of Brazil. However, according to Oliveira, it will be the stand up that wins him the fight.
Brett Okamoto of ESPN MMA recently interviewed Charles Oliveira and asked 'do Bronx' to give his prediction for the fight. The Brazilian said:
"A knock out in the first round. I said that when I actually signed the contract. I'm going to show that I'm the best of the best. I'm going to knock out Islam Makhachev in the first round."
Watch the video below from 6:20: