Khabib Nurmagomedov is showing no signs of returning to competition anytime soon. The former champ isn’t letting that stop him from keeping a close eye on the division he once dominated for so long. Khabib is unimpressed by Michael Chandler’s antics in the UFC, describing the prospect of Chandler holding the title as “somehow wrong”:
“It would be a shame if Michael Chandler won. Two fights in the UFC and already champion – that would be somehow wrong.”
“Somehow wrong” – Khabib on Chandler
Khabib seems to have nothing against Chandler, but he has a higher opinion of Oliveira, who resoundingly defeated Chandler to win the title:
“Charles Oliveira has progressed very much. This is a worthy champion. I’m glad for him. Charles Oliveira is a very worthy champion. He seems to have eight wins in a row. So many finishes. As I remember, only against Tony Ferguson he had a full fight. I think Oliveira is a very worthy champion. Many finishes, many records in the UFC.”
However, Khabib maintains steadfast faith in his teammate Islam Makhachev. As strong as Oliveira is, with a broad array of finishes and serious ability both on the ground and on his feet, Khabib firmly believes that Oliveira’s time at the top will be a short one.
“When Islam Makhachev rises in the ranking, Oliveira will no longer be a champion. The main thing is that Oliveira should understand my words correctly. I respect him, he’s a worthy champion. But when Islam will go up, there will be another champion during the year.”
In fact, Khabib predicts that Dustin Poirier will defeat McGregor and go on to reclaim the Lightweight title from Charles Oliveira, stating that “there will be another champion during the year. In my eyes, it will be Dustin Poirier.” Of course, Poirier has to defeat Conor McGregor first, but there is clearly no love lost between the Russian and his Irish rival.
Charles Oliveira will likely defend his title against whoever wins the Poirier-McGregor trilogy fight in July, although Michael Chandler is already calling for a rematch. The Lightweight division remains as deep as ever, with serious contenders in Beneil Dariush, Justin Gaethje and, of course, Khabib’s favourite, Islam Makhachev.
Do you think Oliveira will maintain a title reign to rival Khabib’s, or are his days at the top numbered? Will it be Michael Chandler or Dustin Poirier who takes the title from Oliveira, or is Khabib way off? Let us know in the comments what you think.
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