Khabib Nurmagomedov would easily beat Charles Oliveira, says Islam Makhachev

Khabib Nurmagomedov would easily beat Charles Oliveira, according to UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev.

Considered by some to be the greatest fighter of all-time, Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from the sport shortly after his second-round submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October 2020.

But despite UFC president Dana White‘s rather futile attempts to try and persuade him to change his mind, ‘The Eagle’, 33, has refused to go back on his word that he gave to his mother.

However, that hasn’t stopped MMA fans from wondering how he might’ve fared against Oliveira.

But, according to Makhachev, who was last seen brutally dispatching Bobby Green, it wouldn’t be much of a contest anyway.

The Dagestani wrestler, who is waiting for news of his next assignment, recently told ESPN: “This is like an easy fight for Khabib.

“Khabib had the most dominant grappling from top. He’s going to take him down, hold him there. Very easy.

“I honestly think this is a very easy fight for Khabib. Stylistically, all of [Oliveira’s] pressure is not going to work against Khabib because Khabib pressures all of his opponents.

“We don’t have to say Khabib is going to beat Charles. I’m going to beat Charles. And everybody is going to understand.

“Honestly, I believe I can finish this guy, and I really want to finish him in the grappling, in his area. I know I can do this.”

Makhachev, 30, defeated Green, 35, via first-round TKO in February at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with Nurmagomedov, 33, in his corner.

Immediately after the fight, Makhachev thanked his opponent for stepping in on short notice to fight him before calling for a shot at the title that Oliveira lost on the scales at UFC 274.

In fact, he is so convinced