UFC 281: Islam Makhachev slams Charles Oliveira for being champion in 'my division'

Islam Makhachev has explained why he’s upset that Charles Oliveira is considered to be the UFC lightweight champion.

While there’s no official champ at the top of the lightweight division, the majority of fans and pundits consider Charles Oliveira to be the man who holds that distinction.

‘Do Bronx’ has been on one hell of a journey over the course of the last few years and even though he was technically stripped of the strap for missing weight at UFC 274, it doesn’t take away from the fact that he’s beaten some of the best lightweights of this or any other era.

The Brazilian sensation will return to action at UFC 281 in Abu Dhabi and on fight night, he’ll attempt to keep his momentum going when he squares off against Islam Makhachev.

Makhachev is one of the hottest prospects in the sport and after years of waiting for his chance at the gold, he’ll finally get his shot this October.

There’s been a layer of tension building between the two foes in recent weeks and in a new interview, Islam explained why he isn’t Oliveira’s biggest fan.

“Yeah [he’s making excuses]. This is embarrassing because he said Islam has to fight one more time or something like this,” Makhachev said. “But UFC told him, hey if you do not take this fight, we’re going to give the chance to Michael Chandler. That’s why he took this fight. He’s lost in the UFC seven times. He’s not gonna be upset if he loses one more time. People finished him seven times in the UFC and this guy’s [the] champion in my division. I’m very upset.”

While he may be on an 11-fight win streak, it was really the win over Kevin Lee that made fans realise Charles Oliveira could be on his way to something special.

He followed that success up by securing a decision over Tony