Makhachev explains motivation to beat Oliveira again: ”I am training so hard”

Islam Makhachev. Photo via Twitter (UFC)

It seems like reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is not too excited to face former champ Charles Oliveira in a rematch.

“Last fight I took zero damage,” Makhachev told ESPN. “I don’t feel the power from Charles. Maybe he changed something, I hope.”

The big motivation is defending the title, who ever he faces.

”Because (I) have belt, you look at the belt, and you don’t want to lose that belt. This is big motivation. That’s why I am going to protect my belt. I am training so hard because I know now everybody looks at me, everybody wants to take this belt, but I’m not going to give the chance to anyone.”

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UFC 294 with Islam Makachev

UFC 294 will take place on October 21 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Superstars Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev will also fight on the card.

Main card

• Lightweight title bout: Islam Makhachev (c) vs. Charles Oliveira
• Middleweight bout: Paulo Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev
• Light heavyweight bout: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker
• Middleweight bout: Nassourdine Imavov vs. Ikram Aliskerov
• Bantamweight bout: Said Nurmagomedov vs. Muin Gafurov

Preliminary card

• Flyweight bout: Tim Elliott vs. Muhammad Mokaev
• Lightweight bout: Mohammad Yahya vs. Trevor Peek
• Middleweight bout: Abu Azaitar vs. Sedriques Dumas
• Lightweight bout: Mike Breeden vs. Anshul Jubli
• Featherweight bout: Nathaniel Wood vs. Muhammad Naimov
• Women’s Strawweight bout: Victoria Dudakova vs. Jinh Yu Frey
• Middleweight bout: Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Bruno Silva

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