Charles Oliveira wants Islam Makhachev win to entice Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement

Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has vowed to defeat Islam Makhachev should they agree to fight only on his terms – a victory he hopes would lure Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement.

Makhachev, a teammate of Nurmagomedov who is now coached by the retired former champion, has been campaigning for clash with Oliveira for the vacant belt, with the Dagestan native initially calling for the bout to take place in Abu Dhabi later this year.

Oliveira, who captured the lightweight crown following Nurmagomedov’s retirement in the UAE capital in late 2020, was stripped of his title in May after missing weight ahead of his expected defence against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274.

The Brazilian had been targeting a money fight with former double UFC champion Conor McGregor, but is now open to taking on Makhachev instead. However, only when and where he wants.

“If they really want it, they need to chase the champion,” Oliveira told YouTube channel Ag. Fight. “I chased the champion, right? Then I became the champion. I want to fight in December. Do you really want this? So let’s do something cool. Now I’m talking to you.

"Let’s fight in January in Brazil? Isn’t that what you really want? So sell it more. But look at this, Khabib, you’ve already tried three premonitions about me and missed all three.

“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. It doesn’t matter what they say. If they really want it, I want it, too.

“Look, forget about Conor McGregor now. Forget it. In Brazil, Charles Oliveira against Islam Makhachev. Is this the fight you want? So we will have it. Charles Oliveira against Islam Makhachev