UFC 280: Islam Makhachev 'not scared' of Charles Oliveira despite 'phenomenal' statistic

Islam Makhachev insists he isn’t fearful of Charles Oliveira‘s finishing ability.

The lightweight rivals will clash for the vacant 155lbs belt on October 22 in the main event of UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Oliveira, the former UFC lightweight champion, boasts a staggering 90 per cent finish-to-win ratio and is arguably the most feared lightweight since Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The Brazilian MMA fighter has stopped all but one of his last four opponents inside the distance, the last man to avoid being separated from consciousness by ‘Do Bronx’ being Tony Ferguson.

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Oliveira has since gone on to add Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje‘s names to his list of victims, the latter of whom he submitted in the second round back in May.

His performances have received praise from many fans and pundits alike as a result, including UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping, who recently described his incredible achievement as “phenomenal.”

However, Makhachev insists that it doesn’t scare him one bit. Quite the opposite, in fact.

“His last three or four opponents, they knock him down and nobody goes to grappling,” he told The National. “Nobody tried to finish him there.

“Nobody tried to do some ground-and-pound. That’s why nobody from these opponents could stop him.

“But I’m not scared of his jiu-jitsu skills because I have good skills in Sambo and grappling and will give him a hard time in striking. That’s why I’m going to knock him down and try to finish him. Because this guy has most finishes in the UFC, my goal is I have to finish him. I’m going to take his record.”

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