Rising lightweight superstar Islam Makhachev has made a vow- to restore the legacy that his close compatriot Khabib Nurmagomedov left behind, as he promises to bring the 155-pound title back to Dagestan when he faces Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.
Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev will fight for the vacant 155-pound title at UFC 280
Last night, UFC announced that the vacant lightweight title will be up for grabs once again for Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev and the highly anticipated bout will headline the UFC 280 event on 22nd October in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Oliveira, who was the first fighter to win the Lightweight belt since Khabib vacated the title, was stripped off from it after missing weight before facing Justin Gaethje at UFC 274, but Dana White had confirmed at that time that “Do Bronx” will be competing for the 155-pound crown once again.
There have been many names from the lightweight roster that have been in the conversation for a title fight against Oliveira but the most demand has been for Islam Makhachev, the 4th ranked in the division who has gone 10 fights without a defeat and is now confirmed to be the contender for the belt.
Soon after the announcement from the UFC, both contenders took to Twitter to react.
“L-E-T-S G-O! Goin’ to face Islam Makhachev @ #UFC280, in Abu Dhabi, October 22th,” wrote Oliveira.
L-E-T-S G-O!
Goin’ to face Islam Makhachev @ #UFC280, in Abu Dhabi, October 22th.
B-O-R-A!
Vou lutar contra o Islam Makhachev no UFC 280 (22/10) em Abu Dhabi
— Charles ‘DoBronxs’ Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) July 16, 2022
Makhachev, who has been a constant companion of Khabib and has seen “The Eagle” closely during his Lightweight reign, promised to bring the belt back to Dagestan.
“October 22, I’m bringing UFC Lightweight Belt back to Dagestan Inshallah @ufc” Makhachev tweeted.
October 22, I’m bringing UFC Lightweight Belt back to Dagestan Inshallah @ufc https://t.co/lpmPg1SB4c
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) July 16, 2022
Oliveira, however, has been taking shots at Makhachev well before the announcement and earlier this month, the Brazilian told Ag Fight that he will be the one to end Makhachev’s win streak, no matter via submission or knockout.
“Look, 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. That’s the division’s problem. It doesn’t matter what they say. If they really want it, I want it, too,” said Oliveira. [H/T BJPenn.com]
Who do you think will emerge as the new UFC Lightweight Champion when Oliveira and Makhachev lock horns at UFC 280? Let us know in the comment section below.
Purchase the UFC merch here.
Click to Predict here.
SHARE
