Thursday, March 28, 2024
Koo_Logo Versions
Follow on KOO

Khabib is confident Islam Makhachev can “maul” Charles Oliveira and “finish” Dustin Poirier

More from author

Saikat Banerjee
Saikat Banerjee
A wordsmith who indulges in the world of combat sports, Saikat Banerjee is an MMA, boxing, and arm wrestling content writer at The MMA India Show and The Sports Room. Apart from combat sports, he also engages in Indian sports content at The Sports India Show. Currently pursuing an MBA from Jadavpur University, Saikat's other interests lie in motorcycling, working out, and travelling.
- Advertisement -

After an unblemished, undefeated and dominant career inside the Octagon, former UFC Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from the sport of mixed martial arts after UFC 254.

Since he vacated the lightweight division and the pound for pound rankings, speculations are there on who can possibly become Khabib’s successor- another grappling monster from Dagestan, and the name of Islam Makhachev- ‘The Eagle’s close associate has often been mentioned.

And now, Islam gets direct appraisal from Khabib himself.

Islam is a little bit ahead of all these lightweights: Khabib

Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises set for July 17 UFC event - MMA Fighting

A World Sambo Championships gold medallist, Islam will be returning to action this Saturday night against Thiago Moisés in the main event of UFC on ESPN 26, to be hosted at the UFC Apex Facility in Las Vegas.

Currently the number 9 ranked UFC lightweight fighter, Islam is currently on a seven fight win streak and has remained undefeated inside the cage since 2016. A win over Moisés is surely to get him to rise in the lightweight pecking order.

However, Khabib believes his fellow Dagestani is already a better fighter than the other top attractions in the division, including the number 1 ranked Dustin Poirier as well as the lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.

“I think he’s (Islam) a little bit ahead of all these lightweights. I truly believe he can finish Dustin Poirier. Maybe Dustin’s gonna be upset, but I truly believe he can finish Dustin Poirier,” Khabib said in an interview with ESPN.

“He can maul Charles Oliveira. I don’t think Charles can play with him like this, all jiu-jitsu guard. We just need time and no accidents,” the former UFC Lightweight champion added.

ALSO READ: Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals his UFC GOAT list

UFC 264 results, takeaways: It's time to crown Dustin Poirier as the best  lightweight in the world - CBSSports.com

Poirier, who lost to Khabib at UFC 242, is currently on a two fight win streak over newfound rival Conor McGregor and while a fourth fight against the Irishman is expected, ‘The Diamond’ is also speculated to be the contender for Oliveira’s title.

Since Khabib’s title was vacated in March, ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira clinched it after defeating former Bellator MMA Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler at UFC 262.

UFC 262 results: Charles Oliveira knocks out Michael Chandler to win vacant  lightweight title | The Independent

However, as Khabib sees it, his Lightweight title will positively come under the possession of his teammate Islam.

Do you think Islam can fulfil Khabib’s expectations and overpower both Poirier and Oliveira? Let us know in the comments.

Purchase the UFC merch here.

Click to Predict here.

Download the Fanatics Fantasy MMA app here.

SHARE
Khabib is confident Islam Makhachev can “maul” Charles Oliveira and “finish” Dustin Poirier - IslamKhabib is confident Islam Makhachev can “maul” Charles Oliveira and “finish” Dustin Poirier - IslamKhabib is confident Islam Makhachev can “maul” Charles Oliveira and “finish” Dustin Poirier - IslamKhabib is confident Islam Makhachev can “maul” Charles Oliveira and “finish” Dustin Poirier - IslamKhabib is confident Islam Makhachev can “maul” Charles Oliveira and “finish” Dustin Poirier - Islam

If any content is used from this article, kindly backlink to this page.

If you like reading about sports, make sure you check out SportsIndiaShow.com
Also follow India’s biggest arm wrestling tournament at ProPanja.com

- Advertisement -

Related articles