UFC 280: Charles Oliveira can 'neutralise' the threat of Islam Makhachev

Anthony Smith has tipped Charles Oliveira to beat Islam Makhachev when the pair clash at the Etihad Arena next weekend.

Oliveira will look to reclaim his title when he faces the Dagestani native in the main event of UFC 280 in the United Arab Emirates on October 22.

If he emerges victorious, Oliveira will become a two-time world champion – and it could set up a super fight with fellow superstar Conor McGregor.

And Smith believes he may be a little too well-rounded for Makhachev who he implied has not faced anywhere near the same level of opponents.

READ MORE: UFC 280: Date, Fight Card, Location, Tickets and more

“I think when you’re as dangerous on the ground as Charles Oliveira, when you’re as dangerous as a finisher as he is — when you’re not afraid of something, it takes away all the power from it,” he said during an appearance on 'The Fighter vs The Writer' podcast per MMA Fighting. “Everyone Islam has fought, for the most part, has been terrified of his wrestling and his top game.

"It’s the same thing with Khabib [Nurmagomedov]. When you’re not afraid of that and you have no fear of it at all, I think that takes away some of the power from it.

“I think Charles attacks so much and creates so many scrambles and can do that over an entire 25-minute fight if he had to, I think that’s going to nullify at the very least, Islam’s top game and his wrestling and I think Charles Oliveira’s a better striker. I think that he’s more powerful on his feet. I think he finds shots better. I think he attacks the body better. I think he can neutralise the wrestling at the very least. I don’t think he’s going to get controlled.”

READ MORE: UFC 280: Alexander Volkanovski would prefer to fight Charles Oliveira not Islam Makhachev

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