Khabib Nurmagomedov says he recognises fully the threat Charles Oliveira will pose Islam Makhachev when the pair meet in Abu Dhabi for the vacant lightweight title later this year, but the former champion is confident his teammate will still be crowned the division’s next champion.
Oliveira and Makhachev headline UFC 280 at Etihad Arena on October 22, when they battle for the belt the Brazilian lost by missing weight ahead of his defence against Justin Gaethje in May.
Oliveira, who went on to defeat Gaethje by first-round TKO, comes into the contest having won 11 on the bounce, while Makhachev rides a 10-fight win streak.
The Dagestan native, a regular visitor to the UAE having fought twice already in Abu Dhabi, sits currently as the division’s No 4-ranked contender.