Charles Oliveira wants Islam Makhachev win to entice Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement

The UFC's most recent lightweight champion targets clash for vacant title in Brazil in December or January

Charles Oliveira celebrates after his submission victory over Justin Gaethje in their lightweight championship bout at UFC 274 at Footprint Center on May 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty

Charles Oliveira celebrates after his submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. AFP

Charles Oliveira has his arm raised in victory after beating Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. Getty

Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje fight during their lightweight bout at UFC 274. Reuters

Charles Oliveira applies a hold for the submission victory against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. Reuters

Charles Oliveira applies a hold against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. Reuters

Charles Oliveira throws a punch at Justin Gaethje during their fight at UFC 274. Reuters

Rose Namajunas kicks Carla Esparza in their women’s strawweight championship bout at UFC 274. Getty

Rose Namajunas throws a right on Carla Esparza in their women’s strawweight championship bout at UFC 274. Getty

Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza fight in their women’s strawweight championship bout at UFC 274. Getty

Carla Esparza celebrates after her victory over Rose Namajunas at UFC 274. Getty

Carla Esparza reacts to her championship victory against Rose Namajunas at UFC 274. Reuters

Michael Chandler is declared the winner by knockout against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274. Reuters

Michael Chandler celebrates his knockout victory against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274. Reuters

Michael Chandler fights against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274. Reuters

Michael Chandler kicks Tony Ferguson for the knockout at UFC 274. Reuters

Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has vowed to defeat Islam Makhachev should they agree to fight only on his terms – a victory he hopes would lure Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement.

Makhachev, a teammate of Nurmagomedov who is now coached by the retired former champion, has been campaigning for clash with Oliveira for the vacant belt, with the Dagestan native initially calling for the bout to take place in Abu Dhabi later this year.

Oliveira, who captured the lightweight crown following Nurmagomedov’s retirement in the UAE capital in late 2020, was stripped of his title in May after missing weight ahead of his expected defence against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274.

The Brazilian had been targeting a money fight with former double UFC champion Conor McGregor, but is now open to taking on Makhachev instead. However, only when and where he wants.

“If they really want it, they need to chase the champion,” Oliveira told YouTube channel Ag. Fight. “I chased the champion, right? Then I became the champion. I want to fight in December. Do you really want this? So let’s do something cool. Now I’m talking to you.

"Let’s fight in January in Brazil? Isn’t that what you really want? So sell it more. But look at this, Khabib, you’ve already tried three premonitions about me and missed all three.

“I won’t say I’m going to submit or knock him out, but I’ll beat him. Listen to this: I will beat Islam Makhachev. The division’s problem is called Charles Oliveira. It doesn’t matter what they say. If they really want it, I want it, too.

“Look, forget about Conor McGregor now. Forget it. In Brazil, Charles Oliveira against Islam Makhachev. Is this the fight you want? So we will have it. Charles Oliveira against Islam Makhachev in Brazil.”

Nurmagomedov, who since retirement has moved into coaching, has said recently that Makhachev is willing to fight Oliveira in Brazil, declaring the No 4-ranked lightweight contender would even submit his rival in front of his own fans.

Makhachev rides a 10-fight win streak and has been defeated only once in 22 professional mixed martial arts bouts. Meanwhile, Oliveira has won 11 on the bounce to extend his pro record to 33-8.

The division’s most recent champion has been in sparkling form since Nurmagomedov called time on his career at 29-0 at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi, first claiming the vacant belt with a stunning knockout against Michael Chandler in May last year. Oliveira then secured back-to-back submissions against Dustin Poirier and Gaethje.

“I’ll beat him [Makhachev]. So who knows, maybe [Nurmagomedov] comes out of retirement and comes too?” he said. “Each one says what they want. I am the division’s problem. I have one of the best jiu-jitsu in the division and in the UFC. I think these guys are talking too much. They want to get in my mind, but that’s not possible.”

“[Nurmagomedov] was champion, 29 wins in a row, and never said anything. He always sold the fight in a good way, really damn well, and today he is always talking a lot.

“And if it’s to talk, I’m going to say it: I’ll beat Islam Makhachev and then challenge Khabib to come back from retirement. It’s the fight everyone will want to see. Everyone says Khabib is [expletive] tough. I respect him a lot, but lately, he’s been talking too much.”