What to do, when it comes to the UFC Lightweight division? Khabib Nurmagomedov has an idea.
The former UFC Lightweight Champion is backing his boy Islam Makhachev on his ongoing title dream. The top contender is looking to fight for the vacant title, which was left behind following Charles Oliveira’s unprecedented weight miss.
‘There Is Only Islam And Charles’
With Charles Oliveira getting a shot at his lost gold next, he needs just one thing… an opponent. Khabib believes it’s only ‘fair’ that his teammate Islam Makhachev achieve a title opportunity.
“If Charles wins against Islam, we have to give him credit,” Nurmagomedov told ESPN. “Then he’s going to be undisputed UFC lightweight champion. Right now, I believe he’s champion. I believe even this. People talk about the half-pound. I believe he deserved it. Right now, in this moment, he deserved to be champion. He’s doing a very good job, you know? But he’s not undisputed. When I finished, I was undisputed.”
“This is going to be fair, if Islam fights versus Charles for the title. Because right now there is no champion in lightweight division. Of course, Charles deserves this. But, there’s no champion. Why Islam have to fight for the contender fight if there’s no champion? Let them fight! Best vs. best. There is only Islam and Charles.”
What About Beneil?
But what about high ranked Beneil Dariush? Where does he fit into all of this? Well, Khabib has a plan for him in all of this which includes him fighting another contender instead.
“And very near is Beneil Dariush but he only has 7 win-streak. When UFC give him chance. He gets injured. Hey, if you wanna come back after injury, fight with top guys, fight for the title.
“Beneil has to fight contender fight, Islam has to fight for the title versus Charles Oliveira. This is my opinion and this fair. 11 win-streak versus 10 win-streak. Let them fight.”
Islam vs Charles
” But if he [Charles] beat Islam of course I’m gonna feel bad you know, of course I’m gonna feel bad but this is different time different fighters, now day prime time. We have to understand who’s the best light [weight] in the world right now between Charles and Islam.”
Coach Nurmagomedov’s a bit more outspoken than he was during his fighting days. Makhachev vs. Oliveira not only has his support, but he wants it in Brazil too.
“It was me. Now, it will become Islam,” Khabib said. “This is like father told. He say, ‘Last 10 years, best lightweight in the world, this is my students.’ This is how my father told. ‘When Khabib going to finish, Islam going to come.’ Ok, if they want Brazil, no problem. We’re going to come to Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, no problem. We’re going to come there two weeks before the fight, rent some big house, come with big team, make weight (not like Charles Oliveira). We’re going to make weight.
“We’re going to finish Charles Oliveira on his game, on the ground — on the ground, on Brazilian land,” Khabib said. “We’re going to teach all fans what is top control, how we finish people. We’re going to get the belt and go back. We’re going to take some big hugs from Brazilian fans. They’re going to love Islam’s ground game.”
Numbers don’t lie. A fight between Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev seems like a great one. But is it the next one? We’ll have to wait and see.
