Charles Olivera, former UFC lightweight champion, is one of the most feared finishers in the sport. He holds the record for most UFC finishes as well as the most submissions, often at his most dangerous just when his opponents think they have the upper hand. Oliveira is set to fight for the lightweight title against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280, and Makhachev revealed that he plans not only to grapple with Oliveira, but to finish him on the ground, too.
“His last three or four opponents, they knock him down and nobody goes to grappling. Nobody tried to finish him there. Nobody tried to do some ground-and-pound. That’s why nobody from these opponents could stop him.
Makhachev’s Plan to Finish Oliveira On the Ground
But I’m not scared of his jiu-jitsu skills because I have good skills in Sambo and grappling and will give him a hard time in striking. That’s why I’m going to knock him down and try to finish him. Because this guy has most finishes in the UFC, my goal is I have to finish him. I’m going to take his record.”
Islam Makhachev’s rise through the UFC rankings was fuelled in no small part by the tutelage of his mentor, former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib has long touted Makhachev as a future champion, and Makhachev doesn’t even see “Do Bronx” as the biggest test of his career.
“Charles is very dangerous. He always finishes his opponent, and he’s dangerous in the striking and on the ground. But I believe in my skills. I’m ready for the fight standing up or on the ground – it doesn’t matter.
I don’t think this is the biggest test (of my career). Maybe I’ve beat some guy who has more skills. But right now, he’s the champion. And, right now, at this moment in his career, because he has a good win streak – he had many losses before and he finished all his opponents – he feels like nobody can stop him. But Oct. 22, I’m going to come to the cage and stop him there.”
Makhachev’s aura of invincibility has only risen of late, with the Dagestani fighter finishing all four of his latest opponents. Charles Oliveira, too, has taken on a feeling of unbeatability, as Oliveira will ride an eleven-fight winning streak into the Octagon at UFC 280.
Do you think Islam Makhachev has the skills to finish Charles Oliveira at UFC 280, or will “Do Bronx” reclaim his throne? Let us know in the comments.
