“If Sambo Was Easy It Would Be Called Jiu-Jitsu”- Khabib Nurmagomedov Proclaims Islam Makhachev the Next Champion With a Candid Statement

Charles Oliveira is sitting atop one of the most, if not the most, talent-stacked divisions in the UFC. ‘Do Bronx’ first tasted UFC gold with an impressive come from behind win over Michael Chandler. He then went on to defend his belt against Dustin Poirier and more recently against Justin Gaethje. In all likelihood, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protégé Islam Makhachev will be next in line for a shot against Oliveira. 

In a recent interview with Brett Okamoto, ‘The Eagle’ shared his thoughts on Makhachev potentially getting a title shot against Oliveira and how the fight would play out. He said, “I hear like they want to make a big show in Brazil like December, okay December is good date for Islam too. If they don’t want to come to Abu Dhabi, fight with Islam, I hear like Charles Oliveira coach okay come to Brazil to fight. No problem, send us location, we gonna come to Brazil. Islam gonna ride Charles Oliveira like his horse we gonna take this belt we gonna show them, If sambo was easy it would be called Jiu-Jitsu and we gonna go home.”

‘The Eagle’ continued, “I believe last ten years, UFC lightweight belt location is Dagestan. Me, now I am finished, now Islam. Last ten years, no Ireland, no USA no Brazil… this is place in Dagestan.”

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Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev is the fight to make at 155-pounds

‘Do Bronx’ is not the lightweight champion on paper anymore. After missing weight in the lead-up to his fight against Gaethje, Oliveira was stripped of the title. This means that his next fight will be for the vacant belt and not a title defense. 

Dana White initially wanted to reschedule the fight between Makhachev and Dariush, however, after the main event at UFC 274, he stated that he is considering a title fight between Oliveira and Makhachev. The fight makes a lot of sense, given both men have absolutely decimated everyone put in front of them thus far. Whether or not the fight takes place in Abu Dhabi or Brazil remains to be seen.