Charles Oliveira wants to lure Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement by defeating the prodigy of Islam Makhachev.
Oliveira, 32 years old, was Stripped of his lightweight title After losing weight at UFC 274, but he expects to fight for the next vacant title against Russia’s Makhachev.
But Nurmagomedov is his main target, as the Brazilian said: “It’s the battle that everyone wants to see.”
Makhachev, 30, is on a 10-fight winning streak in the UFC, and Nurmagomedov, 33, has repeatedly called for giving his gym mate a chance to win the title.
“I will defeat Islam Makhachev and then challenge Habib to come back from retirement,” Oliveira said.
Despite being stripped of his title at UFC 274 in May, Oliveira extended his undefeated streak to 11 by introducing Justin Gethje at the event.
He had called for a fight with Ireland’s Conor McGregor in recent weeks, but now says he’d rather take on Makhachev.
“I will defeat Islam Makhachev – the division problem is called Charles Oliveira,” he said. AG fight.
“It doesn’t matter what they say. If they really want it, I want it too. Look, forget about Conor McGregor now, forget about it.”
“In Brazil, Charles Oliveira against Islam Makhachev. Is this the battle you want? So we will fight it.”
